Zash Loan Kenya 2026: Interest Rates, Download & How to Apply
Zash Loan has over 5 million downloads on Google Play and roughly 4.3 stars. It's operated by Zillions Credit Limited, a CBK-licensed digital credit provider, and it launched in June 2023. The app offers loans from KES 500 to KES 50,000, disbursed to M-Pesa.
The headline pitch is "0% interest." That claim needs unpacking, because the actual cost of borrowing from Zash is 25%, charged as a processing fee before you even receive the money. This review breaks down the real numbers, who Zash works for, and when you should use something else.
How Zash Loan Works
Like most Kenyan digital lenders, Zash uses your phone data and M-Pesa history to build a credit profile. You download the app, register with your ID, grant permissions, and the algorithm decides your credit limit.
First-time borrowers get between KES 500 and KES 2,000. That's on the lower end compared to Tala, which also starts at KES 500-1,000 but tends to offer slightly higher initial limits to users with strong M-Pesa history.
Repay on time and your limit increases gradually toward the KES 50,000 maximum. The standard repayment period is 14 days, with a 7-day extension available if you need it.
Zash Loan Interest Rate and Fees (2026)
Here's where honesty matters. Zash markets itself as a "0% interest" loan app. Technically, they don't charge what they call "interest." Instead, they charge a 25% processing fee, deducted from your loan amount before disbursement.
The result is the same: you pay to borrow money. Calling it "0% interest" while taking 25% off the top is misleading, and borrowers should understand the real cost.
What You Actually Receive
| Loan Amount | Processing Fee (25%) | You Receive | You Repay | Repayment Period |
| KES 1,000 | KES 250 | KES 750 | KES 1,000 | 14 days |
| KES 2,000 | KES 500 | KES 1,500 | KES 2,000 | 14 days |
| KES 5,000 | KES 1,250 | KES 3,750 | KES 5,000 | 14 days |
| KES 10,000 | KES 2,500 | KES 7,500 | KES 10,000 | 14 days |
| KES 20,000 | KES 5,000 | KES 15,000 | KES 20,000 | 14 days |
| KES 50,000 | KES 12,500 | KES 37,500 | KES 50,000 | 14 days |
Look at that KES 10,000 row. You receive KES 7,500 in your M-Pesa but owe KES 10,000 in two weeks. On the money you actually receive, that's a 33% cost. Annualized, it works out to roughly 650% APR.
For comparison, Tala charges ~15% as a service fee but you receive the full loan amount and repay 115% over 21-30 days. Fuliza charges 1.083% per day with no upfront deduction.
Late Payment Fees
This is where Zash gets genuinely punitive:
- Days 1-15 overdue: 2.5% per day on the outstanding balance
- Day 16 onwards: 3% per day on the outstanding balance
To put that in numbers: if you borrow KES 10,000 and miss the 14-day deadline entirely, you'll owe roughly KES 13,750 after just 15 days late. After 30 days late, it could exceed KES 18,000. These are among the steepest late penalties in the Kenyan digital lending market.
The 7-day extension helps, but only if you use it before the due date. Once you're late, the penalties stack fast.
Requirements for a Zash Loan
- Age: 18 to 60 years (note: the upper limit is 60, not 65 like most competitors)
- ID: Kenyan National ID
- Phone: Android smartphone (no iOS app available)
- M-Pesa: Active, registered M-Pesa account
- App permissions: SMS, contacts, location, phone data access
- CRB: Negative listing may affect approval but is not always disqualifying
How to Download and Apply for Zash Loan
Step 1: Download the Zash Loan App
Go to Google Play Store and search "Zash Loan" or find it directly at the Google Play listing. The app is by Zillions Credit Limited. Only download from Google Play, not third-party APK sites. There is no iOS version.
Step 2: Register Your Account
Open the app and enter your Safaricom phone number. You'll receive an OTP via SMS for verification. Enter your Kenyan National ID number.
Step 3: Grant App Permissions
Zash will request access to your SMS, contacts, call logs, location, and device information. These are used for credit scoring. Denying any permission will likely result in rejection.
Step 4: Wait for Credit Assessment
The app analyzes your phone data and M-Pesa transaction patterns. This typically takes a few minutes. Your approved limit will appear on the home screen.
Step 5: Select Your Loan Amount and Confirm
Choose an amount up to your approved limit. The app will show the processing fee deduction and the amount you'll actually receive. Review carefully before confirming.
Step 6: Receive Funds via M-Pesa
Once confirmed, the disbursed amount (after 25% deduction) is sent to your M-Pesa. Disbursement is typically within minutes.
Step 7: Repay Within 14 Days
Repay via the Zash app or directly through M-Pesa Paybill number 733555. If you need more time, request the 7-day extension before the due date.
How to Repay Zash Loan
Via the Zash App:
- Open the Zash Loan app
- Tap "Repay" on your active loan
- Follow the M-Pesa payment prompts
- Confirm with your M-Pesa PIN
Via M-Pesa Paybill:
- Go to M-Pesa > Lipa na M-Pesa > Pay Bill
- Business Number: 733555
- Account Number: Your registered phone number
- Enter the repayment amount
- Confirm with your M-Pesa PIN
Zash Loan vs Tala vs Zenka vs Fuliza
| Feature | Zash Loan | Tala | Zenka | Fuliza |
| Max Loan | KES 50,000 | KES 50,000 | KES 100,000 | KES 70,000 |
| Cost | 25% processing fee upfront | ~15% service fee | 14-29% interest | 1.083%/day |
| What You Receive | 75% of loan amount | 100% of loan amount | 100% of loan amount | 100% of overdraft |
| Repayment Period | 14 days (+7 extension) | 21-30 days | 61 days - 6 months | Auto from deposits |
| Late Fees | 2.5-3% per day | Penalties + CRB | Varies | 1.083%/day continues |
| iOS Support | No | No | Yes | N/A (USSD) |
| App Required | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| CBK Licensed | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (Safaricom) |
The comparison is not flattering for Zash. Tala costs less, gives you the full amount, and allows 21-30 days to repay. Zenka offers higher limits, longer terms up to 6 months, and supports both Android and iOS. Fuliza has no upfront deduction and works on any phone without an app.
Where Zash might edge ahead is accessibility: if you've been rejected by Tala and Zenka but qualify on Zash, it becomes your fallback option. The 7-day extension is also a feature not all competitors offer.
Pros and Cons of Zash Loan
What works
- CBK licensed. Zillions Credit Limited is a regulated entity. You have recourse through the CBK if something goes wrong.
- Popular and established. 5M+ downloads and ~4.3 stars suggest the app functions reliably.
- 7-day extension. If you know you'll be late, requesting an extension before the due date prevents the worst penalties.
- No collateral. No guarantor, no assets, no bank account required.
- Accessible to informal workers. No payslips or employment verification needed.
What doesn't
- Misleading "0% interest" marketing. A 25% processing fee is a cost of borrowing. Calling it interest-free is deceptive.
- You receive less than you borrow. The upfront deduction means borrowing KES 10,000 only puts KES 7,500 in your pocket.
- 14 days is very short. Most monthly earners can't guarantee repayment within 14 days.
- Late fees are brutal. 2.5-3% per day compounds fast. A small loan can double in a month of non-payment.
- Android only. No iOS app excludes iPhone users entirely.
- Age cap of 60. Competitors typically allow up to 65.
Is Zash Loan Worth It?
For most borrowers, no. The 25% upfront cost combined with a 14-day repayment window makes Zash one of the more expensive options in the CBK-licensed digital lending space. If you have access to M-Shwari (7.5% for 30 days), KCB M-Pesa (8.88% for 30 days), Fuliza (1.083%/day), or Tala (~15% for 21-30 days), those are all cheaper and offer longer repayment periods.
Zash makes sense in exactly one scenario: you need emergency cash within 14 days, you've been rejected by other apps, and Zash approves you. In that case, borrow the minimum you need, repay on time, and don't make it a habit.
If you're using Zash regularly, you're paying too much. Build your credit profile with cheaper products and graduate to bank-based loans as quickly as possible.
Zash Loan Contact Details
- Email: cs@zashloan.com
- Phone: 0709462300
- M-Pesa Paybill: 733555
- Google Play: Search "Zash Loan" (by Zillions Credit Limited)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Zash Loan really 0% interest?
No. Zash charges a 25% processing fee deducted from your loan before disbursement. If you borrow KES 10,000, you receive KES 7,500 and repay KES 10,000 in 14 days. The "0% interest" claim is marketing language; the processing fee is the cost of borrowing.
What is the Zash Loan Paybill number?
The M-Pesa Paybill number for Zash Loan repayment is 733555. Use your registered phone number as the account number.
How do I increase my Zash Loan limit?
Repay your loans on time consistently. Start with small amounts and build a track record. Avoid late payments, as these can freeze or reduce your limit. Most users report gradual increases from KES 500-2,000 up to KES 10,000-20,000 over several months.
What happens if I can't repay Zash Loan on time?
Request the 7-day extension through the app before your due date. If you miss the deadline without an extension, late fees of 2.5% per day apply immediately, increasing to 3% per day after 15 days. Prolonged default leads to CRB negative listing and potential debt collection.
Can I get Zash Loan on iPhone?
No. Zash Loan is Android only. If you use an iPhone, consider Zenka which supports both Android and iOS, or USSD-based options like M-Shwari and Fuliza that work on any phone.
Is Zash Loan licensed by CBK?
Yes. Zash Loan is operated by Zillions Credit Limited, which holds a digital credit provider (DCP) license from the Central Bank of Kenya. You can verify this on the CBK licensed digital lenders list.
How fast is Zash Loan disbursement?
After approval, funds are typically sent to your M-Pesa within minutes. The credit assessment process itself may take a few minutes, so expect the total time from application to receiving money to be 5-15 minutes for returning users.
Can I repay Zash Loan early?
Yes, you can repay early through the app or via M-Pesa Paybill 733555. However, the 25% processing fee has already been deducted, so early repayment does not reduce your cost. It does improve your profile for higher future limits.