NAIROBI, Kenya — The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has licensed 25 additional Digital Credit Providers (DCPs), raising the total number of regulated digital lenders in the country to 252 as it continues efforts to clean up Kenya’s fast-growing mobile lending industry and strengthen consumer protection.
In a statement issued on Tuesday 14, July 2026, the CBK said the new approvals were granted under Section 59(2) of the Central Bank of Kenya Act following an extensive review of applicants’ operations, governance structures and consumer protection measures.
The regulator said it has received more than 800 applications since the digital lending licensing framework came into force in March 2022 and has continued working with applicants to assess compliance with regulatory requirements.
Consumer protection remains central
According to the CBK, the licensing process goes beyond issuing permits and is designed to ensure digital lenders operate responsibly in a sector that has expanded rapidly over the past decade.
“The focus of the engagements with DCPs has been, inter alia, on business models, consumer protection and fitness and propriety of proposed shareholders, directors and management,” the CBK said.
“This is to ensure adherence to the relevant laws and, importantly, that the interests of customers are safeguarded.”
The regulator said the licensing framework was introduced following widespread complaints from consumers about the conduct of some unregulated digital lenders.
Among the concerns raised were excessive lending costs, aggressive debt recovery methods and misuse of borrowers’ personal information.
Digital lending now a major source of credit
The CBK said licensed Digital Credit Providers predominantly offer loans through digital platforms, including mobile applications and Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) channels.
Their products include personal loans, education financing, business loans, development loans and asset-financing facilities.
As of May 2026, licensed DCPs had disbursed more than 8.3 million loans worth approximately KSh150.6 billion, highlighting the sector’s growing importance in expanding access to credit for individuals and small businesses.
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The figures illustrate how digital lenders have become an increasingly important component of Kenya’s financial ecosystem, complementing commercial banks and microfinance institutions by providing faster access to small-value loans.
New entrants
Among the companies receiving licences are:
- Nirvana Credit
- Numida Technologies
- Onward Digital
- Payablu Credit
The newly licensed firms join a growing list of regulated digital lenders operating under CBK supervision.
More approvals expected
The Central Bank said many applications remain under review and urged applicants to submit outstanding documentation promptly to facilitate completion of the licensing process.
“Other applicants are at different stages of the process, largely awaiting submission of requisite documentation. We urge these applicants to submit the pending documentation expeditiously to enable completion of the review.”
The regulator reiterated that licensing and continuous supervision are intended to improve accountability and restore public confidence in Kenya’s digital lending industry after years of concerns over predatory practices.
