[Updated] Safaricom Lipa Mdogo Mdogo Flexible 4G Smartphone Financing Plan Explained

Safaricom launched its much-awaited flexible smartphone financing plan in July last year. The campaign, precisely known as Lipa Mdogo Mdogo, is meant to upgrade Safaricom’s 2G customer base, which accounts for most of the telco’s subscribers, to 4G.

In this article, we talk about everything you need to know about Lipa Mdogo Mdogo Safaricom 4G Smartphone Financing Plan, from how it works, how to check eligibility and the devices under the program.

How Safaricom Lipa Mdogo Mdogo Works

The program helps 2G feature phone users upgrade to 4G. First, the customer has to check if they’re eligible to receive a smartphone under the program by dialing *544#. If he/she meets the set criteria – discussed below – they can go to a nearby Safaricom shop, pay for a Ksh 1000 down payment then receive a Neon Ray 4G smartphone.

Lastly, the remaining fees will be paid for either via daily or weekly flexible installments. If you choose the daily payment option, the smartphone will be locked once 24 hours are over so you have to pay 20 bob again via the pre-installed Lipa Mdogo Mdogo app which is the only app that works before any payment is made.

Once paid, the phone is unlocked and the customer can use it to browse, sent money, make and receive calls, etc.

How to Check Eligibility for Lipa Mdogo Mdogo

To see if you’re eligible to get a 4G smartphone with flexible financing plans, dial *544#, and select Option 5 “Lipa Mdogo Mdogo.” Accept the terms of the service by selecting 1. Then Safaricom will then notify you immediately if you’re eligible or not via a pop-up.

Safaricom Lipa Mdogo Mdogo Criteria for Checking Eligibility

The following are the key criteria considered by the telco to decide if you’re eligible for Lipa Mdogo Mdogo.

• A subscriber must be 18 years or older
• Must have been a Safaricom customer for over a year
• You should be regularly using Safaricom’s products, including M-PESA, SMS, and calling
• MUST be using a 2G Feature Phone.

Note: If you’re reading this article on your handheld chances are, you’re not eligible. You’ll be shown a message like the one in the image below.

Lipa Mdogo Mdogo Interest

By getting a 4G device under flexible payment terms, Safaricom will charge users an interest of up to 13.27% annually. In total, you will have paid Ksh 6, 500 for the phone instead of the one-off retail price of Ksh 6,000.

Lipa Mdogo Mdogo Supported Phones

Under Safaricom’s Lipa Mdogo Mdogo Campaign, only the company’s Neon Ray 4G phone was available when the flexible financing plan was launched. Safaricom has now added three new devices to give customers more options. The devices include the itel A24, TECNO Spark 7 and TECNO CAMON 17 with an aim to add more devices to the program in the coming months.

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