NAIROBI, Kenya — The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has granted licenses to 27 additional Digital Credit Providers (DCPs), bringing the total number of licensed lenders to 153. This announcement, made on Thursday, comes just three months after 41 DCPs were licensed in June 2025.
Since the licensing process began in March 2022, the regulator has received more than 700 applications.
The CBK stated that it has been “engaging applicants on areas such as business models, consumer protection, and the integrity of proposed shareholders, directors and management teams” to ensure compliance and safeguard customer interests.
The CBK’s move to license and oversee the sector was precipitated by public concerns about past predatory practices of unregulated lenders, including high costs, unethical debt collection methods, and the misuse of personal data.
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“As of June 2025, licensed DCPs had granted 5.5 million loans valued at Ksh.76.8 billion. Other applicants are at different stages in the process, largely awaiting the submission of requisite documentation,” the CBK stated.
The regulator noted that DCPs primarily issue loans digitally through USSD platforms, with products ranging from education and development loans to short-term personal loans, asset financing, and business loans.
The details of the newly licensed firms are now available on the CBK’s official website, while other applicants continue to await final approval.
