The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has announced that it has granted licenses to 27 additional Digital Credit Providers (DCPs).
In a statement on Thursday, September 4, CBK said the new approvals have brought the total number of licensed DCPs to 153.
"The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has announced the licensing of an additional 27 Digital Credit Providers (DCPs), pursuant to Section 59(2) of the Central Bank of Kenya Act (CBK Act). This brings the total number of licensed DCPs to 153, following the licensing of 41 DCPs announced in June 2025," the statement read.
The regulator added that the licensing process remains ongoing, noting that many applicants are still required to meet compliance requirements.
"Other applicants are at different stages of the licensing process, largely awaiting the submission of requisite documentation. CBK urges these applicants to submit the pending documents promptly to enable the completion of their application reviews," the statement added.
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CBK explained that the application process has been thorough to ensure that only credible and compliant lenders are licensed.
"Since March 2022, CBK has received more than 700 applications and has worked closely with applicants to review their submissions. The focus of these engagements has been on business models, consumer protection, and the fitness and propriety of proposed shareholders, directors, and management.
"These measures aim to ensure adherence to relevant laws and safeguard the interests of customers. CBK acknowledges the efforts of applicants and the support of other regulators and agencies in this process," the statement further read.
Nonetheless, CBK highlighted the role digital lenders play in financial inclusion, particularly through innovative loan products.
"Digital Credit Providers primarily conduct their lending activities digitally, including through Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) codes.
"Their loan products include education loans, development loans, short-term personal loans, asset-financing, and business loans. As of June 2025, licensed DCPs had granted 5.5 million loans valued at Ksh76.8 billion," the statement concluded.
Among the newly licensed companies are Abito Limited, Ajax Credit Kenya Limited, Aspire Lending Ltd, Bossrich Credit Limited, Brisk Credit Limited, Easy Asset Management Limited and Easyways Credit Limited.
Others are Elevate Credit Limited, Finseil Limited, Futureinno Digital Tech Limited, Hanis Capital Limited, Lasiri Capital Limited and Leaf Credit Limited.
Little Limited (trading as SpotIt), Mayflower Capital Limited, Mednow Capital Limited, Moto Hope Capital Limited and Mwananchi Credit Ltd are also among the newly licensed firms.
Earlier in the year, CBK announced the licensing of 41 new digital lenders.
In a statement dated Thursday, June 5, CBK announced that there were now 126 Digital Credit Providers licensed to operate in Kenya.
Among those licensed are Absolute Credit Kenya Ltd, Adroit Credit Limited, Asap Credit Limited, Aventus Technology Limited, Avenews Ke Ltd, AVL Capital Ltd, Bimas Kenya Limited, BRAC Kenya Company Limited, East African Futures Company Limited, Fabilo Credit Ltd, and Fantom Capital Limited.
The others were Finberry Capital Ltd, Finboom Credit Kenya Limited, Frictionless Enterprises Limited, Girls First Kenya Limited, Granary Capital Limited, Helium Credit Limited, Kifedha Ltd, Kikwetu Credit Ltd, Leja Ltd, Loan Plus Ltd, and Longitude Capital Limited.
CBK also licensed Maxxton Enterprise Ltd, Milhan Access Capital Limited, Mkulima Pay Ltd, Modesty Credit Ltd, Moneza Ltd, Nawiri African Sprouts Ltd (Fast Credit), Newark Frontier Limited, Numida Technologies Limited, Simbageld Ltd, and Sipranda Capital Ltd.
Spectrum Capital Ltd, Spread Capital Ltd, Steadfast Credit Ltd, Tentacorp Holdings Limited, Tinycost Credit Kenya Limited, Truway Credit Limited, Voncodes Capital Limited, Zoe Credit Limited, and Zuri Credit Limited were also licensed.
"The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) announces the licensing of an additional 41 Digital Credit Providers (DCPs). This is pursuant to Section 59(2) of the Central Bank of Kenya Act (CBK Act). This brings the number of licensed DCPs to 126 following the last licensing of 27 DCPs announced in October 2024," the statement read in part.
