Would You Take The Zenka Mobile Loan? 

The digital loans industry has become a source of credit to millions of Kenyans over the past ten years. 

Digital loans, which are also referred to as mobile loans, have grown in popularity because of their speed of disbursement and flexibility in qualification criteria. The Zenka Digital Loan is one of the digital loans available in the market. 

The Zenka Digital Loan is a product of Zenka Digital Limited, one of the 32 Digital Credit Providers licensed by the Central Bank of Kenya. 

If you qualify, the Zenka Digital Loan is disbursed within just a few minutes. This makes it one option to consider in emergency situations where money is needed urgently. Some of the examples include medical emergencies, urgent car repairs, unforeseen education expenses such as an impromptu school trip, etc. 

The Zenka Digital Loan can also be utilised for business reasons such as when you need cash to take advantage of a quick business opportunity. 

It can also come in handy when unexpected financial needs arise. For example, when your salary is delayed, the Zenka Digital loans can help you pay your bills and cover your expenses until you get paid. 

Zenka is one of the few digital credit providers that allows borrowers to extend the loan’s due date, in the event of a change in the repayment plan. 

In this article, we look at Zenka's interest rates, fees, disbursement, repayment options, eligibility requirements, and more to help you decide whether this digital loan is a good fit for your short-term borrowing needs.

Zenka Total Cost Breakdown (Loan Fees)

Interest Rates: The interest rate for the Zenka Digital Loan ranges from 9-39% per loan.

Processing Fee: Zenka Digital charges a one-off processing fee, which varies depending on the loan amount. This fee ranges from a minimum of Ksh45 to a maximum of Ksh5,800.

Late Fees: In the event of delayed repayments, the Zenka Digital Loan charges a daily late fee of 1% of the outstanding amount.

How to Apply for the Zenka Digital Loan: 

Borrowers can apply for the Zenka Digital Loan through the Zenka App available on the Google Play Store. 

Apart from the app, Zenka loans are also accessible via USSD code *841#.

The requirements for registration include:

• A national ID card
• An M-PESA-enabled SIM card whose registration details match your ID card

Zenka Loan Disbursement 

Once you have registered an account with Zenka, you are assigned a loan limit after which you can make an instant application on the app. 

The application is reviewed typically within a few minutes and once approved, Zenka Digital disburses loan funds directly through M-PESA.

Repaying the Zenka Loan

Through M-Pesa:

To repay your Zenka loan, follow the procedure below:

1. Launch M-Pesa in your Safaricom menu on your phone
2. Choose Lipa na M-Pesa
3. Select the Paybill option
4. Enter the Paybill number 979988
5. Input your registered M-PESA number as your account number
6. Type in your repayment amount
7. Enter your M-Pesa PIN
8. Confirm that all details are correct and all data corresponds and press ‘OK’.

USSD

1. Dial the *841# on your phone
2. Enter your PIN.
3. Select the “Repay” menu option; your current loan balance will be displayed.
4. Follow the system user prompts to complete payment
5. You will then receive an SMS notification, and your loan will be closed.

Using the APP

1. Open the zenka app (make sure your data is connected)
2. Press sign in
3. Confirm your account (Safaricom telephone number) and press next  
4. Enter your PIN and press SIGN IN
5. Select the REPAY NOW option
6. Select the amount you want to pay either ‘Full amount due‘ or ‘choose specific amount‘
7. Press REPAY NOW
8. Wait for the M-PESA Express screen to pop up.
9. Enter your M-PESA pin and press OK.
10. Zenka will send you an SMS confirming your loan payment.
11. Your total amount due will be updated to reflect the total amount due.

How to apply for Zenka Loan Extension

Once you have supplied the requirements to receive a loan extension, follow the procedure below:

Via USSD:

1. Dial *841# on your phone
2. Enter your PIN
3. Select “Extend” and check information about cost, terms and conditions
4. Select one of the available terms and conditions displayed
5. Follow the repayment link and wait for SMS notification.
6. After processing your extension payment, the due date of your loan will be updated.‍

How to apply for Zenka Loan Extension via App

1. Open the Zenka loan app (make sure you are connected to internet)
2. Press sign in
3. Confirm your account (Safaricom telephone number) and press next
4. Enter your PIN and press SIGN IN
5. On the main app screen select ‘NEED MORE TIME TO REPAY‘ option
6. You will get options to extend your loan by either 7, 14 or 30 days, each with a fee.

Other things to Note: 

CRB: The Zenka loan approval process includes checking the borrower’s status with the accredited Credit Reference Bureaus (CRB). Thus, to qualify for the Zenka Digital Loan, you are required to have a good CRB record. 

Zenka Digital provides you with a link to their terms and conditions, allowing you to fully understand the terms of the loan before it is disbursed. 

Further, it is important to consider your ability to pay before applying for the Zenka Digital Loan. Like all loans, the implication of default includes the risk of over-indebtedness and a poor credit score that may impede your ability to access loans in the future. 

Would you consider the Zenka loan? You can start your application here.