The Central Bank of Kenya announced on Wednesday that it has granted licences to 29 additional digital credit providers, increasing the number of regulated lenders to 281.

The licences were issued under Section 59(2) of the Central Bank of Kenya Act, following an earlier batch of 25 providers approved in July 2026.

Since March 2022 the regulator has received more than 900 applications and has evaluated them on business models, consumer‑protection measures and the fitness of shareholders, directors and managers.

As of August 2026, the licensed digital credit providers had disbursed 9,596,509 loans worth a total of Sh165.1 billion.

The lenders primarily operate through digital channels such as USSD codes, offering products that range from education and development loans to short‑term personal, asset‑financing and business loans.

CBK urged the remaining applicants, who are still at various stages of the licensing process, to submit any outstanding documentation promptly so their reviews can be completed.

The regulator also called on the public to report any digital credit providers operating without a licence, providing an email address for submissions.

CBK said the licensing drive was prompted by consumer complaints about high credit costs, aggressive debt‑collection tactics and misuse of personal data by unregulated lenders.