If you’ve always wanted to own a new smartphone but can't seem to afford one right now, we have some good news for you! Safaricom’s Lipa Mdogo Mdogo is here to help you purchase your dream smartphone now and pay bits by bits at your own pace. All you have to make a part payment from as little as KSh. 500, then pay the rest over manageable installments for as low as KSh. 20 per day. Cool, right? But how does Lipa Mdogo Mdogo work
Safaricom Lipa Mdogo Mdogo
The Safaricom Lipa Mdogo Mdogo means “buy now, pay small small” smartphone financing plan that allows you to purchase your dream smartphone via a manageable installment starting from KSh 20 per day.
Safaricom’s goal, being the largest telecom company in Kenya, is to create an avenue where everyone can enjoy the benefits of the Internet. Hence, the a need to bring across people who still use 2G and 3G devices to a much better and faster 4G network without breaking the bank.
With the Lipa Mdogo Mdogo financing plan, you can purchase your preferred smartphone by making a down payment between KSh 500 and 3000, then complete the payment in 9 months over manageable daily, weekly, or monthly installments.
The process is straightforward, too. First, you’ll have to check if you’re qualified by dialing *544#, then visit a nearby Safaricom shop to choose any of the Lipa Mdogo Mdogo phones and make a specified down payment. They’ll give you the phone, after which you can opt into any of their payment options according to your pocket size.
How to Check Your Eligibility Status
Like other financing plans, you have some criteria to meet before Safaricom lets you participate in Lipa Mdogo Mdogo. These qualifications include:
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- You must have been a Safaricom customer for at least a year.
- You must be using a 2G or 3G feature or smartphone
- You must not be listed on CRB for defaulting on a loan.
Once you meet these criteria, you can follow the procedures below to confirm your qualification for the service.
- Dial *544# on your Safaricom SIM card
- Select option 5 for “Lipa Mdogo Mdogo
- Select option 1 to accept the terms and conditions of the service
- Get an instant pop-up notification to confirm your eligibility
Note: Chances are you’ll not be eligible if you own a 4G-enabled smartphone already, and that's cool since the goal is to bring users on 2G and 3G networks to much better 4G devices. So, your SIM card must be in a 2G/3G smartphone to qualify, even if you meet other measures.
Frequent-Asked Questions on Lipa Mdogo Mdogo
Here are the most asked questions on how Lipa Mdogo Mdogo Works
Q1. What smartphones can you get through Lipa Mdogo Mdogo?
Safaricom started with the Neon Ray Pro smartphone about a year ago but has since then added a few more smartphones to make the service pleasant for everyone.
Currently, 4G smartphones you can acquire through Lipa Mdogo Mdogo include:
- TECNO CAMON 17
- TECNO SPARK 7
- Itel A24
- Neon Ray Pro
With time, Safaricom will continue to add more devices if users request it, and you can always check available devices by dialing 544 and selecting option 5.
Still, asking how Lipa Mdogo Mdogo works. It’s that simple.
Q2. How does the payment plan work?
Once you've gained your device by making a down payment at the Safaricom shop, you can continue to complete your installments with a pre-installed app on the phone. Payment happens in your hand while you use your phone. Safaricom won't deduct your money automatically, but you'll always get a reminder when it's time to pay, depending on your chosen frequency.
Besides the Lipa Mdogo Mdogo app, you can make the repayment on your line directly by dialing *544# and selecting the daily, weekly, part, or full payment. However, you can’t make payment using another line or Fuliza.
As a means of compensation, Safaricom will give you 1GB of free data on your line at the point of purchase. And if you’re consistent with your repayment, you'll receive a free 100MB of YouTube data after the first seven days.
Q3. What happens if you default your Lipa Mdogo Mdogo payment?
Safaricom will always give you a prior notification to ensure you don't forget to make your repayment when due. However, here's what will happen if, unfortunately, you fail to pay.
- After the deadline, they’ll give you a 3-day grace to make the payment.
- If you still haven't paid on the 4th day, Safaricom will lock your device and limit its usage.
- On the 7th day, they’ll bar you from all outgoing calls and SMS, should you continue to default.
- In case you fail to make a payment after 30 days of your deadline, they’ll blacklist you from subsequent loan facilities and forward your details to CRB.
Refusing to pay your Lipa Mdogo Mdogo installments means you may no longer be eligible for future loans in Kenya and may be denied employment opportunities if the organization requests your CRB status. You probably don’t want this, or do you?
Q4. Is Lipa Mdogo Mdogo worth it?
A smartphone financing service is always an excellent choice if you can’t afford the one-off steep payment to purchase a modern smartphone. Safaricom’s Lipa Mdogo Mdogo service is advantageous in a few ways, and it's a steel offer for anyone who jumps in.
It provides an easy way to purchase your dream smartphone since you don't have to make the entire payment at once. You’ll also get a whopping 1GB data bonus to browse the internet and another 100MB YouTube bundle to get started.
Most importantly, the service lets you choose a payment frequency that meets your needs while going for a quality smartphone you can afford. All their listed smartphones, especially ones from TECNO, Infinix, and itel, are from reliable brands you can depend on. So, you’re getting value for your money.
Final Thoughts
Although it’s not flawless, Safaricom Lipa Mdogo Mdogo is a slick way to start if you're looking forward to getting a smartphone but can't afford to pay at once. That is everything you need to know on “How does Lipa Mdogo Mdogo work?” Simply dial *544# on your Safaricom line to get started!
