Zenka Updates Offers, Interest-Free Loans For New Users and More

Digital Lender Zenka Finance has made a number of updates to its products in recent months, including a new promotion offering new users interest free loans up to Ksh5,000 for up to 61 days. 

Zenka, which was recently feted for deepening financial inclusion in the 2021 Annual Mobile App Awards organised by Vibrant Digital, eliminated the interest rate for their first loan by a new customer that had previously ranged from 9% to 39%. This offer is applicable to all new users of the Zenka App who have not previously taken a loan with the lender. 

The ongoing Zenka First Unsecured Loan offer gives first-time Zenka users hard on cash a chance to secure free credit to cater for any holiday-related activities and pay back in a period of up to two months - when their income may have stabilised. 

With a minimum loan amount of Ksh500, Zenka is one of the few lenders in Kenya to offer an interest-free loan for first-time customers. 

The interest-free loan means that if a customer borrows Ksh5,000, they will only need to repay exactly Ksh5,000 within the 30 - 61 days tenure without any interest, insurance fees or processing fees charged on the amount. 

Once the first loan has been repaid, a customer can continue accessing Zenka loans at interest rates of between 9 and 39%. 

Zenka has also increased the maximum loan limit for subsequent loans by a customer from Ksh30,000 previously to a high of Ksh42,000. 

The tenure for all Zenka loans is up to 61 days. 

It is worth noting that the interest rate, loan limit and tenure varies significantly between users based on your financial history.  

Full list of Zenka loan updates: 

• First loan interest rate now 0% for all new users 
• First loan limit increased to Ksh5,000
• Second loan limit increased from Ksh30,000 to Ksh42,000.

How to Apply for Zenka Loans Via Mobile App

To use the Zenka mobile loan app, you need to own a phone, be 18 years of and above, have a valid national ID, and have a registered Safaricom SIM card with M-PESA activated. 

Download the Zenka App from the Google Play store and follow the prompts to register as a new customer.

1. Open the Zenka App
2. Press ‘sign in‘
3. Confirm the mobile number then press next
4. Enter your PIN and press ‘sign in’
5. You will see how much money you qualify for and the number of days to repay
6. Press ‘Apply now‘
7. Confirm the loan summary details which include ‘Total amount‘, ‘Due date‘, ‘Next repayment‘, ‘number of installments‘, and ‘principal‘
8. Select ‘GET LOAN‘
9. You will then receive an SMS from Zenka and if approved, your loan will be sent to you through M-PESA.

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How to Apply for Zenka Loan, App, Repayment, Fees, Contacts

Zenka is a mobile loan app offered by Zenka Kenya, a product of Pata Mkopo Company Limited. The mobile app is available both on the Apple Store and the Google Play store, with over 1 million downloads and a 4.0 out of 5 star rating.

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

Who Is Eligible for Zenka Loans?

To use the Zenka mobile loan app, you need to own a phone, be 18 years and above, have a valid national ID, and have a registered Safaricom sim card.

Zenka Loan Limits and Interest Rates

Zenka app offers loans ranging from a low of KSh500 to a high of KSh30,000. The loans have a processing fee that ranges between 9-39%. However, if applying via USSD, the maximum limit is KSh10,000. Loan limit increments depend on historical timely repayments.

The maximum effective Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is 180%

However, if you are applying for a loan for the first time on the zenka lending platform, the first loan attracts no processing fee.

How to Grow Your Zenka Loan Limit

There are a number of ways you can grow your loan limit. However the most effective way of doing this is by making sure you repay your loan on time, borrow as often as you can on the app and transact often using m-pesa.

How to Register Using the Zenka App

1. On your Smartphone, go to Play Store and search for the Zenka loan application
2. Tap on the install icon to let it download and install
3. Once installed, launch the app, and grant permissions by pressing OK
4. Click on Register
5. Enter your mobile number
6. Enter basic information as shown below
7. Select a security question, and create a 4-digit pin, and click Sign up
8. Wait for your registration to be confirmed. Zenka will send an sms with an activation code. Enter the code.
9. Once you enter the code, your account is now active
   

How to Apply for Your First Zenka Loan Using the App

1. Open the Zenka app
2. Press ‘sign in‘
3. Confirm the mobile number then press next
4. Enter your PIN and press sign in
5. You will see how much money you qualify for and the number of days to repay
6. Press ‘Apply now‘
7. Confirm the loan summary details which include ‘Total amount‘, ‘Due date‘, ‘Next repayment‘, ‘number of installments‘, and ‘principal‘
8. Select ‘GET LOAN‘
9. You will then receive an SMS from Zenka and if approved, your loan will be sent to you through M-PESA.
   

How to Apply for a Zenka Loan Using USSD code *841#

(You need to have already registered for Zenka)

1. Dial *841# and enter your pin

2. Select option 2: continue with USSD and click send

3. Click option 1: Apply for loan

4. They will display a notification showing your loan limit
5. Select “Apply for Full Limit” or enter your desired loan amount.
6. Select the loan repayment period, and you’re done.
7. If the loan application is successful upon verification, the loan amount will be dispatched straight to your M-Pesa account.
   

How to Make Zenka Loan App Repayments Via M-PESA

To make repayment, 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’.
   

How to Repay Zenka Loan Via 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.

How to Repay Zenka Loan 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.
    

Zenka Fees and Penalties

Zenka charges a 1% penalty rate of the amount borrowed (principal) per every day you don’t repay the loan. The amount adds up each day until you pay up the outstanding loan.

Zenka Loan Repayment Date Extension

Zenka loan platform offers loan extensions at different durations. The fees depend on the duration. So 15% is for (7 days extension), 22% (14 days extension) and 29% (30 days extension) respectively.

How to apply for Zenka Loan Extension via USSD

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

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.
   

Zenka Member Get Member 

The zenka member get member (MGM) is a referral program that allows you to invite friends to use the loan app. You do this by recommending zenka to other users by using a unique code.

Your friends will use this unique code when they are registering their own Zenka account.  After the friend you invited applies for their 1st loan and repays it in full, you as the person who referred them to use the zenka app, will get a bonus amount in your Zenka account.

The loan app pays out a minimum amount of KSh300 in bonuses accumulated and only if five friends have applied and repaid their loans in full.

Zenka App Privacy and Permissions

1. Calls and Identity.
2. Call history
3. Contacts
4. SMS
5. Wi-Fi connection information
6. Location and GPS

Zenka Loan App Reviews

“Very quick and helpful once approved. They lend responsibly and never bug you with endless calls and reminders to pay,” says one user on Play Store.

“I paid my loan, twice, and there was no increase in the loan limit. On trying for the third time, I am told I don’t qualify yet I was not late on payments,” opines another user.

Zenka Loan App Contacts

• For phone calls: 020 765 08 78 
• Email: support@zenka.co.ke. 
• Facebook: @zenkakenya 
• Twitter: @ZenkaFinance