You’ve probably seen Ziidi pop up on your Safaricom app. Maybe you’re wondering if it’s actually a good place to put your money, or just another thing taking up space on your phone.

Let me break down what Ziidi is, how it works, and whether you should care.

What Is Ziidi?

Ziidi is a money market fund from Safaricom. Think of it as a savings account that pays you better interest than your regular bank account.

You put money in through M-PESA. The money gets invested in things like government bonds and treasury bills. You earn interest daily. You can take your money out anytime.

That’s the basic idea. Want to compare other money market funds? Check out our guide on 5 of the Best MMF to Invest in Kenya for 2026.

How Much Can You Actually Earn?

Right now, Ziidi pays around 13-14% per year. Your bank probably gives you 2-3%.

Let’s say you put KSh 10,000 in Ziidi for one year:

  • You’d earn about KSh 1,300
  • In a regular bank, you’d get KSh 200-300

The difference adds up fast if you have more money saved.

Want to calculate your own returns? Check out our Money Market Fund Returns Calculator to see exactly how much you could earn.

How Does It Actually Work?

Getting started takes about 5 minutes:

Step 1: Open your Safaricom app
Step 2: Find Ziidi in the Financial Services section
Step 3: Register (you’ll need your ID number)
Step 4: Send money from M-PESA
Step 5: Watch your balance grow daily

You can put in as little as KSh 100. No minimum balance required.

For detailed registration instructions, check the official Ziidi FAQ from Safaricom.

New to M-Pesa? Read our guide on How to Get Your M-Pesa Statement: 4 Easy Methods to track your transactions.

The Good Parts

Your money isn’t locked in. Need cash for an emergency? Withdraw anytime. The money hits your M-PESA in minutes.

You earn interest every single day. Even if you only have KSh 500 in there, it’s growing while you sleep.

No hidden fees for deposits or withdrawals. What you see is what you get.

The Not-So-Good Parts

Interest rates change. That 13-14% isn’t guaranteed forever. When government rates drop, your returns drop too.

It’s not a bank account. You don’t get a debit card. You can’t pay bills directly from Ziidi. You have to move money to M-PESA first.

There’s a small fee (about 0.5%) when the fund buys or sells investments. You won’t see this directly, but it affects your returns slightly.

Is Your Money Safe?

Ziidi is regulated by the Capital Markets Authority (CMA), which officially approved the fund in November 2024. Your money goes into actual investments (government securities and bank deposits), not just sitting in Safaricom’s account.

That said, money market funds aren’t the same as bank deposits. Banks have deposit insurance. Money market funds don’t.

Has anyone lost money in a money market fund in Kenya? Not really. But the risk exists.

Read the full Ziidi terms and conditions before investing.

Who Should Use Ziidi?

You’re saving for something 3-12 months away. Maybe school fees, a phone, or holiday travel. Ziidi beats keeping cash under your mattress or in a low-interest account. Use our 52 Week Savings Challenge Calculator to plan your savings timeline.

You have an emergency fund sitting in your bank earning nothing. Move it to Ziidi. Still accessible, but actually growing. Not sure how much you need for emergencies? Try our Emergency Fund Calculator.

You’re just starting to invest. Ziidi is simple. No complicated forms. No minimum amounts that scare broke people away.

Who Shouldn’t Use Ziidi?

You need money for daily expenses. Keep that in M-PESA where it’s easier to access. Our MPESA Calculator can help you track transaction costs. If you’re frequently short on cash, check out How to Fuliza: Comprehensive Guide for 2026 for emergency borrowing options.

You want to invest for 5+ years. Look at unit trusts or SACCOs. They have higher growth potential for long-term goals.

You can’t handle any risk at all. Even small risk makes you nervous. Stick with your bank.

How to Make the Most of It

Start small. Put KSh 1,000 and see how it feels. Watch the interest add up. Then decide if you want to add more.

Set up a routine. Every month, move some money from M-PESA to Ziidi right after you get paid. Before you spend it on things you don’t need. Want to save even more? Learn How to Cut Your Transaction Costs in Kenya (Save Up to KSh 300 Per Month).

Don’t put all your money in one place. Keep some in M-PESA for daily needs. Some in Ziidi for medium-term goals. Some in other investments for long-term dreams.

Check the interest rate every few months. If it drops below 10%, you might want to look at other options.

Want to see the power of daily interest over time? Use our Compound Interest Calculator to visualize your growth.

Common Questions People Ask

Can I lose my money?
Technically yes, but it’s rare. Money market funds are considered low-risk. Learn more from the official Ziidi launch announcement.

How fast can I get my money out?
Usually within minutes to your M-PESA. Definitely within hours.

Is there a maximum I can put in?
No upper limit. Put in as much as you want.

Do I pay tax on the interest?
Yes, 15% withholding tax. But this gets deducted automatically. You don’t have to do anything.

Quick Comparison

If you put KSh 50,000 away for one year:

Ziidi (13% rate): You’d have about KSh 57,000 after tax

Regular Bank (3% rate): You’d have about KSh 51,300 after tax

Under Your Mattress: Still KSh 50,000, but inflation ate some of its value

The choice is clear if you’re not touching that money for a while.

Use our Money Market Fund Returns Calculator to compare different amounts and timeframes.

My Take

Ziidi isn’t perfect. But for most young people in Kenya, it’s a solid option for money you’re saving short-term.

The interest is decent. Access is easy. Setup takes minutes.

Is it the best investment ever? No. Will it make you rich? Also no.

But will it help your money grow faster than leaving it in a regular account doing nothing? Yes.

Start with a small amount. See how it works. Then decide if it fits your money goals.

What to Do Next

Open your Safaricom app right now. Find Ziidi. Put in KSh 500 just to try it.

Check back in a week. You’ll see interest added. That feeling of money growing itself? That’s what gets people hooked on saving and investing.

Even small amounts count. Even KSh 100 is better than zero.

Stop thinking about it. Start doing it.

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