Banks use rigid affordability models that reject millions of South Africans who have real, active income — but no formal payslip or spotless credit record. Fido uses alternative data and digital bank-statement analysis to see your actual income and spending patterns. If banks have said no, Fido may still say yes.
Yes. Fido Credit SA (Pty) Ltd is a registered credit provider in terms of Section 40 of the National Credit Act (NCA 34 of 2005). Our NCR registration number is NCRCP16693. You can verify this on the NCR's public register at www.ncr.org.za.
Fido Credit SA is a South African digital lending app that gives you access to personal loans of up to R8,000 — entirely through your smartphone. No branch visit, no paperwork mountain, no waiting in queues. You apply, get assessed, and receive funds directly to your bank account, all in the app.
You can repay easily through the Fido app. You’ll see your exact repayment amount and due date on the app.
Download the Fido app, create your account and apply for a loan. You’ll receive funds after approval.
No. Fido shows you exactly how much you will repay before you accept the loan. What you see is what you pay.
Loan terms are short-duration — typically 14 to 60 days. Your full repayment schedule, including the total cost of credit, will be shown to you before you accept any offer. You never pay more than what you agreed to upfront, and if you repay your loan early your interest is recalculated accordingly.
Fido offers loans from R300 up to R8,000. Your personalised offer is based on your income, expenses, and credit assessment. The amount you're offered may increase as you build a repayment history with Fido, subject to affordability checks at the time.
You don't need a perfect credit record. Fido looks at your real income and spending patterns, not just your credit score. However, we are required by the NCA to conduct a responsible credit assessment, and not every application will be approved.
- A valid South African ID (green barcoded ID or Smart ID card)
- A South African bank account
- Your last 3 months' bank statements (uploaded as a PDF)
- A smartphone (Android or iOS)
Not necessarily. Fido assesses your income digitally using your bank statements — so your actual income and spending history matters more than having a formal payslip. You do need to provide 3 months of bank statements so we can conduct the affordability check required by law.
The application takes around 5 minutes. Fido then conducts an affordability assessment as required by the National Credit Act. Assessment time varies by application.
Everything happens in the Fido app:
1. Download the app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store
2. Register with your phone number
3. Verify your identity with your South African ID number
4. Upload your last 3 months' bank statements
5. Receive your personalised loan offer — view the full cost before you agree
6. Sign your agreement digitally and authorise your DebiCheck mandate
7. Funds are sent directly to your bank account
No, all fees are disclosed upfront in your loan agreement and the pre-agreement statement you receive before signing. What you see is what you pay.
Fido charges interest within the rates permitted by the National Credit Act. The exact rate applicable to your loan will be displayed clearly in your loan offer before you accept.
Fido charges:
- An initiation fee (calculated on your loan amount, within NCA caps)
- A monthly service fee of up to R57.50 (incl. VAT) — within the NCA statutory cap
- Interest on the outstanding balance
All fees and interest are shown to you in full before you sign your loan agreement. There is no hidden cost you discover later.
Repaying on time may help you qualify for larger loans in the future, subject to a full affordability assessment at the time. Eligibility for increased limits depends on your circumstances at the time of each new application.
Yes. You can repay your loan early at any time through the app. Early repayment means you pay less interest.
Contact us through the app or on Whatsapp as soon as possible. Missing a repayment can affect your credit record and your ability to access future loans. Fido reports to credit bureaus as required by the NCA.
DebiCheck is a regulated debit order authentication system used by South African banks. It requires you to approve the debit order directly through your bank before it can be collected — which means no unauthorised deductions can happen. It's a consumer protection standard, not just a payment method.
Repayment is via DebiCheck — a regulated debit order standard used by South African banks. When you sign your loan agreement, you authorise a DebiCheck mandate through your own banking app. Your repayment is then collected on the agreed date. If you manually pay your loan early though the App, then Fido will not debit your account again on the agreed date.
Yes, but Fido is required by the NCA to conduct an affordability check. If your existing debt obligations leave insufficient disposable income, your application may be declined. Fido will not lend to you recklessly.
Yes, you can still apply. Fido uses its own credit assessment model. A bank rejection does not automatically mean you will be declined by Fido.
Fido provides loans to individuals and small businesses in South Africa, and there is no specific restriction based on your employment status or whether you receive government grants or assistance. If you meet these requirements, you can download the Fido App and complete the application process directly from your phone.
Yes. Fido assesses income from your bank statements — so spaza shop owners, market traders, e-hailing drivers, hair salon owners, and other entrepreneurs can apply. As long as your income is reflected in your bank account and you meet the affordability criteria, you can be considered.
You can apply if you:
- Are a South African citizen or permanent resident
- Are 18 years or older
- Have a valid South African ID
- Have an active South African bank account
- Have 3 months of bank statements to upload
Yes. The Fido app is available on both Google Play (Android) and the App Store (iOS).
Your information is encrypted and stored securely. We use your bank statements solely to conduct the affordability assessment required by law — this data is not used for marketing purposes without your separate consent.
Yes. Fido is a registered and regulated lender. Your personal and banking information is protected in line with POPIA (Protection of Personal Information Act). We do not sell your data.
If you have a complaint about Fido, you can contact us directly through the app or on Whatsapp using this link: https://wa.me/27138802219
The National Credit Act 34 of 2005 (NCA) and its regulations govern all credit agreements. All Fido loans are compliant with NCA requirements, including affordability assessments, cost-of-credit disclosure, and the pre-agreement statement you receive before signing.
Yes. Fido Credit SA (Pty) Ltd is registered as a credit provider with the National Credit Regulator (NCR) — registration number NCRCP16693 — in terms of the National Credit Act 34 of 2005.
Fido SA support team is available Monday - Friday from 08:00 - 17:00 excluding public holidays.
Yes, you can contact Fido SA support team on Whatsapp here: https://wa.me/27138802219
Yes, you can contact Fido SA support team on this number +27138802219
Yes, you can contact Fido SA support team using: info.za@fidocredit.com
You can reach out to us for help with:
- Questions about your loan application or status
- Repayment queries or difficulties
- Account or profile issues
- DebiCheck mandate questions
- General questions about how Fido works
- Complaints or disputes
The fastest way to reach us is through the Fido app or Whatsapp. Open the app, go to the Menu and click on the Help button, and send us a message directly via our Live Chat. You can also contact us on Whatsapp using this link: https://wa.me/27138802219
