The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has released an updated directory of licensed digital credit providers, marking another significant step in the country’s efforts to regulate a fast-growing but historically controversial segment of its financial system.
The directory, updated on December 24, 2025, lists 195 licensed digital credit providers, all authorized to operate legally in Kenya under the Digital Credit Providers Regulations.
The update reflects Kenya’s most comprehensive regulatory push yet to bring order, transparency and consumer protection to a sector that has expanded rapidly over the past decade.
Digital lending has become a critical part of Kenya’s financial landscape, driven by widespread mobile phone use and the dominance of mobile money platforms.
Millions of Kenyans rely on short-term digital loans to manage cash flow, fund small businesses or meet emergency expenses.
However, the sector has also faced sustained criticism over high interest rates, opaque fees, aggressive debt collection practices and misuse of customer data.
In response, CBK began licensing digital lenders in 2022, making authorization mandatory for any company offering digital credit.
The latest CBK directory confirms that only firms appearing on the list are legally permitted to provide digital credit services in Kenya. All others are considered unregulated and operating unlawfully.
According to the CBK document, the licensed firms range from large, well-known fintech platforms to smaller, specialised lenders, including companies focused on consumer credit, asset financing, agriculture, mobility, healthcare and pay-as-you-go services.
The directory includes established names such as Tala, Branch-affiliated entities, Lipa Later, M-Kopa Loan Kenya, Platinum Credit, Pezesha, Jumo Kenya, and Musoni Capital, alongside dozens of newer entrants licensed in 2024 and 2025.
Each listing provides detailed corporate information, including:
- Official company name
- Physical and postal address
- Contact details
- Date of licensing by the CBK
This level of disclosure is intended to improve accountability and allow consumers to verify whether a lender is authorized before borrowing.
A notable feature of the updated directory is the sharp increase in licenses issued in 2025, particularly in June, September and December.
This suggests both heightened regulatory enforcement and strong interest from firms seeking to comply with Kenya’s digital credit framework.
Many companies received licenses on December 24, 2025, indicating a final regulatory push before the end of the year. Industry observers say this reflects the CBK’s insistence that all digital lenders regularize their operations or exit the market.
The regulator has previously warned that unlicensed lenders face enforcement action, including shutdowns and potential legal penalties.
For borrowers, the updated list of licensed digital lenders in Kenya serves as a critical consumer protection tool.
Licensed providers are required to comply with rules governing:
- Transparent pricing and disclosure of fees
- Fair debt collection practices
- Responsible credit assessment
- Protection of customer data
Consumers who borrow from unlicensed platforms risk exposure to predatory practices and have limited avenues for redress.
The CBK has repeatedly urged the public to verify a lender’s licensing status before taking out a digital loan.
The expanded directory underscores Kenya’s position as one of Africa’s most actively regulated digital credit markets.
By formalizing the industry, the CBK aims to encourage responsible innovation while restoring public confidence in digital lending.
The breadth of the licensed firms also highlights how digital credit has evolved beyond simple mobile loans into a diverse ecosystem supporting micro-entrepreneurs, farmers, vehicle financing and consumer goods purchases.
The CBK is expected to continue updating the directory periodically as new licenses are issued or revoked. Firms that fail to meet ongoing regulatory requirements risk suspension or removal from the list.
For now, the December 2025 update stands as the definitive record of legally authorized digital lenders in Kenya, reinforcing the regulator’s message that compliance is no longer optional.
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