By Ken Muthomi - Reporter
Kenya, 14 July 2026 - The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has licensed 25 more digital Credit Providers (DCPs), raising the total number of licensed digital lenders in the country to 252.
In a statement on Tuesday, CBK confirmed that the licensing was made in line with Section 59(2) of the Central Bank of Kenya Act.
The regulator said that it has received more than 800 applications for digital credit provider licences since March 2022, and has been working closely with applicants throughout the review process.
The evaluation of the applications focused on business models, consumer protection measures, and the fitness and propriety of proposed shareholders, directors, and management to ensure that applicants are compliant with the law while safeguarding customers.
“Details of the 25 licensed DCPs can be accessed here. Other applicants are at different stages in the process, largely awaiting the submission of requisite documentation,” CBK stated.
“We urge these applicants to submit the pending documentation expeditiously to enable completion of the review of their applications,” it added.
Digital Credit Providers are financial companies that offer loans and credit services entirely through digital platforms like mobile apps, websites, and USSD codes without needing physical bank branches.
Examples of these companies include fintech mobile loan apps, mobile banking credit features, and airtime advance platforms. Their products include education loans, development loans, short-term personal loans, asset financing, and business loans.
The latest approvals follow the licensing of 32 digital credit providers announced in April 2026, according to the regulator.
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As of May 2026, licensed digital credit providers had disbursed more than 8.37 million loans worth KSh 150.56 billion, according to CBK.
CBK has assured that licensing and supervising digital lenders remains fundamental in weeding out unregulated lenders, especially those who have lending practices, high borrowing costs, unethical debt collection methods, and misuse of customers' personal information.
Members of the public have been encouraged to remain vigilant and report unregulated digital credit providers to the CBK through dcps@centralbank.go.ke.