CBK Clears 27 More Digital Lenders, Total Hits 153
The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has added 27 more firms to the list of licensed Digital Credit Providers (DCPs), bringing the total number of approved digital lenders to 153.
In a public notice issued on Thursday, September 4, CBK announced that the names of the new lenders have been published on its website. This follows the approval of 41 digital lenders in June 2025, as the regulated digital lending space continues to grow.
The regulator said the approvals were processed under Section 59(2) of the CBK Act as part of its efforts to promote responsible lending and consumer protection in an industry that has been criticized for exploitative practices.
“The Central Bank of Kenya has licensed 27 Digital Credit Providers (DCPs). This brings the number of licensed DCPs to 153 following the licensing of 41 DCPs in June 2025,” CBK stated.
Since opening the licensing window in March 2022, CBK has received over 700 applications and applicants have had to go through a thorough review of ownership structures, governance, business models and compliance with regulatory standards.
The new digital lenders will offer various loan products including personal loans, business credit, education financing and development loans. Most of these will be offered through mobile platforms and USSD codes making them accessible to millions of Kenyans.
According to CBK data by June 2025, licensed DCPs had already disbursed 5.5 million loans worth Ksh76.8 billion.
The regulator said the move to license and regulate DCPs was informed by public complaints about unregulated lenders who were charging exorbitant interest rates, engaging in harsh debt collection tactics and abusing personal data.
With the latest additions, CBK reiterated that all licensed DCPs must adhere to ethical practices and comply with consumer protection standards. It also urged pending applicants to finalize their submissions to speed up the approval process.
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CBK Clears 27 More Digital Lenders, Total Hits 153