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Hustler Fund borrowers are set to benefit from higher loan limits and longer repayment periods following the introduction of new measures announced by President William Ruto during the Fund’s second anniversary celebration at KICC, Nairobi.
The President unveiled a behavioural credit rating system to reward timely borrowers with expanded credit limits. The system assigns beneficiaries a credit score ranging from A1 (Very Good) to C3 (Very Poor) based on their repayment behavior. Borrowers with strong credit ratings can now double or even triple their current limits. For example, a borrower with a limit of KSh50,000 will now qualify for up to KSh150,000.
Additionally, the new Bridge Loan product will enable responsible borrowers to access larger loans and establish relationships with banks, transitioning them to mainstream financing. The repayment period has also been extended from 14 to 30 days, with the interest rate remaining at 8% annually.
President Ruto emphasized that the credit score will ensure transparency, allowing borrowers to access loans without intermediaries. “You don’t need connections; your phone and repayment history determine your creditworthiness,” he said.
To date, the Hustler Fund has disbursed over KSh60 billion to 24.7 million Kenyans, with borrowers saving KSh3.4 billion. Long-term savings from the Fund will now be managed by the Kenya National Entrepreneurs Savings Trust (KNEST), offering higher interest rates aligned with Treasury Bills.
These reforms aim to deepen financial inclusion and empower borrowers to achieve greater economic stability.
