Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has licensed 25 new Digital Credit Providers (DCPs) with the number of the registered institutions now standing at 252 as the bank steps up its supervision, consumer protection initiatives, digital lender sectors.
The announcement of the 25 new licences was made via an online medium and was backed by Article 59(2) of the Central Bank of Kenya Act. Besides, this is following 32 licensing DCPs by Kenyas CBK in April 2026.
CBK stated that it received over 800 applications since March 2022, and it collaborated closely with the applicants to evaluate business models, consumer protection, suitability of the proposed shareholders, directors, and management teams. The regulator said that the process seeks to achieve lawful standards while protecting creditors.
Providers of Digital Credit mainly give out loans via such digital channels as Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) services. Their loan items include, among others, educational credits, development loans, micro, loans, facilities for asset financing, and business loans.
In May 2026, licensed DCPs had given over 8. 37 million loans with a value of Sh150. 56 billion thereby indicating the credit extension industrys growing influence in providing funds.
Besides, CBK reminded the public to point out and report unlicensed digital lenders. Licensing was put into practice to stop predatory lending, unethical debt collection actions, and abuse of customer data.