The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has licensed 29 additional digital credit providers, raising the number of regulated digital lenders in the country to 281.
The latest approvals were issued on September 28, 2026, following the licensing of 25 other digital credit providers announced by the regulator in July.
The 29 newly licensed firms are Alba Capital Limited, Anchorstone Capital Limited, Boya Capital Limited, Cars and Cargo Capital Limited, CIM Credit Kenya Limited, Coffers Credit Limited, Credix Digital Credit Provider Limited, Credora Digital Limited, Demulla Investments Limited, Diversity Micro Credit Limited, Goalbridge Capital Limited, Horpazi Credit Limited, Investbox Holdings Ltd, Jukiwa Credit Limited, Meridian Kapital DCP Ltd, Moneysta Capital Investment Ltd, Pocket Dealers Limited, Remy Capital Limited, Ridgeways Credit Limited, Rooted Digital Credit Provider Limited, Saidika Credit Limited, Standthrive Solutions Limited, Symos Credit Limited, TGL Credit Limited, Tottengram Credit Ltd, Town Credit Ltd, Vankizah Credit Limited, Xpress Capital Solutions Limited and Zaidavu Credit Limited.
CBK said it has received more than 900 applications for digital credit provider licences since March 2022. The applications are assessed based on business models, consumer protection measures and the fitness and propriety of shareholders, directors and management.
The regulator said the licensing process is aimed at safeguarding customers amid concerns over unregulated digital lenders, including high borrowing costs, unethical debt collection practices and misuse of personal information.
Licensed digital credit providers offer a range of products through digital platforms, including USSD. These include education and development loans, short-term personal loans, asset financing and business loans.
As of August 2026, licensed digital credit providers had issued 9,596,509 loans worth Sh165.1 billion.
