CBK licenses 29 digital lenders, raising regulated providers to 281

The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has licensed an additional 29 digital credit providers, raising the number of regulated digital lenders in the country to 281. The move comes on the back of the licensing of another 25 digital credit providers in July, further expanding the number of lenders operating under CBK’s oversight. The Central Bank has received over 900 applications from digital credit providers since 2022, noting that the engagement has focused on business models, consumer protection, fitness and propriety of proposed shareholders, directors and management to ensure adherence to the relevant laws and, importantly, that the interests of customers are safeguarded. CBK says other applications are at different stages in the process, largely awaiting the submission of requisite documentation. According to the regulator, as of August 2026, licensed digital credit providers had granted 9,596,509 loans valued at 165.1 billion shillings.