Stawi Loan – review 2026
Pros
- Backed by a CBK-supported initiative aimed at affordable SME credit
- Delivered through four established, CBK-licensed commercial banks
- Pricing is generally more affordable than typical app-based business loans
- Accessible to M-Pesa merchant account holders without heavy paperwork
Cons
- Primarily useful to businesses with an active Lipa Na M-Pesa merchant account
- Loan ceiling of KES 250,000 limits use for larger business financing needs
- Eligibility and limits depend on merchant transaction history
Stawi is a mobile business credit product launched with backing from the Central Bank of Kenya as part of a government-supported effort to expand access to affordable SME financing. It is delivered through a consortium of four Kenyan commercial banks, KCB, Co-operative Bank, NCBA and DTB, each of which is individually licensed and supervised by the CBK under the Banking Act.
Stawi targets small business owners, particularly those operating M-Pesa merchant (Lipa Na M-Pesa) accounts, and offers loans of between roughly KES 500 and KES 250,000. Because the initiative was designed specifically to improve SME access to credit at more affordable pricing than typical app-based lenders, rates on Stawi loans are generally structured to be lower-cost than comparable unsecured digital business loans.
Fees and Eligibility
As a bank-consortium product rather than an independent fintech, Stawi loan applications and disbursements are processed through the partner banks' systems, and the same CBK banking disclosure requirements apply. Eligibility is generally based on the business's M-Pesa transaction history and merchant account activity rather than lengthy traditional documentation.
Requirements
- National ID
- KRA PIN certificate
- Active Lipa Na M-Pesa merchant account
- Minimum age 18 years
- Business transaction history on M-Pesa
Provider contacts
- Name
- Stawi (KCB Bank Kenya / Co-operative Bank / NCBA / DTB consortium)
- Address
- Nairobi, Kenya
- Reg. number
- CBK-backed initiative
- Website
- https://www.kcbgroup.com/stawi
- Online application
- Apply now →
- Regulator
- Central Bank of Kenya (CBK)
Information in this review is based on publicly available sources and is for informational purposes only. Finatino.com is not a financial product broker. Before signing any contract, we recommend reading the provider's terms and conditions.