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Use an AI API without a credit card

Fund an AI API with mobile money or card top-ups, or pay per call with x402, without a USD card at signup.

Problem

What this solves.

Many AI APIs require a USD card. Fikra accepts mobile money and card top-ups, and agents can pay per call with x402.

Steps

Do this in order.

  1. Sign up with an email. No card is needed at signup.
  2. Start with $0.50 in credit and the free DeepSeek route.
  3. To raise limits, top up from $1.00 with mobile money or a card.
  4. Agents can pay per call with USDC on Base through x402, without an account checkout.
Quickstart

Copy the snippet.

from openai import OpenAI

client = OpenAI(base_url="https://api.fikraapi.co.ke/v1", api_key="fk_...")

response = client.chat.completions.create(
    model="deepseek-v4-1-flash-economy-free",
    messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "Hello"}],
)
print(response.choices[0].message.content)

Base URL: https://api.fikraapi.co.ke/v1. Default model: deepseek-v4-1-flash-economy-free.

Get a free key

Troubleshooting

Common errors.

  • No card is required for signup or the free route.
  • A first top-up of at least $1.00 activates paid limits.
  • Agents use x402 USDC on Base and do not need a card.

Start free. Pay only for what you use.

Top up from $1.00. No subscription.

Get a free key