As of January 2026, the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has licensed 195 digital credit providers (DCPs) in Kenya. Only CBK-licensed lenders can legally operate, so any loan app without a CBK licence number is illegal. To check any app, look it up in the official CBK directory at centralbank.go.ke; the major licensed lenders are listed below, and you can compare their rates side by side on PesaMarket. Note: the CBK does not cap interest rates — licensed lenders must simply disclose all costs upfront. This guide shows how to verify a loan app in under a minute, lists the major licensed providers, and explains your rights as a borrower.
Why This Matters
Before the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) Digital Credit Providers regulations took effect in March 2022, anyone could launch a loan app in Kenya. That led to:
- Predatory interest rates (some charging over 500% per year)
- Harassment of borrowers and their contacts
- Unauthorised access to phone data
- Improper listing on CRB databases
Today, only lenders licensed by the CBK can legally operate in Kenya. Apps without a licence are illegal.
Quick Check: Is Your Loan App Licensed?
How to verify in under a minute
- Visit the official CBK directory:
centralbank.go.ke/directory-of-digital-credit-providers
- Look for the DCP licence number:
Licensed apps display their CBK licence number (format: DCP/XXX/YYYY).
- Confirm company registration:
Verify the company on the eCitizen Business Registration portal.
Licensing Timeline
| Date | Milestone |
| March 2022 | CBK Digital Credit Providers regulations issued |
| September 2022 | First batch of licences granted |
| June 2025 | 126 DCP licences issued |
| September 2025 | 153 DCP licences issued (27 new) |
| January 2026 | 195 DCP licences issued (42 new) |
Major CBK-Licensed Digital Lenders
The full list of all 195 providers is published in the CBK directory. Below are the best-known licensed digital lenders by category.
Bank-backed lenders
| Lender | Parent Bank | Licence Status |
| M-Shwari | Safaricom / NCBA | ✅ Licensed |
| KCB M-Pesa | KCB Bank | ✅ Licensed |
| Fuliza | Safaricom / NCBA | ✅ Licensed |
| Eazzy Loan | Equity Bank | ✅ Licensed |
| MCo-op Cash | Co-operative Bank | ✅ Licensed |
Independent digital lenders
| Lender | Licence Status |
| Branch International | ✅ Licensed |
| Tala | ✅ Licensed |
| Zenka | ✅ Licensed |
| Okash | ✅ Licensed |
| Opesa | ✅ Licensed |
| Berry | ✅ Licensed |
| Kashway | ✅ Licensed |
| Flash Credit | ✅ Licensed |
Recently licensed (January 2026)
The CBK licensed 42 additional DCPs in January 2026, including:
- Acquire Credit Limited
- ASA International Kenya Limited
- Juhudi Kilimo Company Limited
- Liberty Afrika Technologies Ltd
- Real People Kenya Limited
- Bingwa Micro Capital Limited
- Cashmart Capital Limited
- Guava Capital Limited
The full list is available on the CBK website.
What a CBK Licence Means for Lenders
Your rights under CBK regulations
Licensed lenders must:
- Disclose all costs upfront
- State the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) clearly.
- Show all fees before you accept the loan.
- Charge no hidden fees.
- Protect your data
- Cannot access your contacts without consent.
- Cannot share your data with third parties.
- Must have a privacy policy.
- Follow fair debt-collection practices
- Cannot harass you or your contacts.
- Cannot send threatening messages.
- Must follow lawful collection procedures.
- Report to CRBs fairly
- Can only report after proper notice.
- Must give you an appeals process.
- Cannot list you without due process.
Industry Statistics (2026)
| Metric | Value |
| Total licensed Digital Credit Providers (DCPs) | 195 |
| Loans disbursed (November 2025) | 6.6 million |
| Value of loans (November 2025) | Ksh 109.8 billion |
| Typical loan size | ~Ksh 16,600 |
| Applications under review | 600+ |
How to Report an Unlicensed Lender
If you come across a digital lender without a licence:
- Report to the CBK (Central Bank of Kenya):
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: +254 20 286 0000
- Report to Google Play:
- Flag the app as "harmful" or "fraudulent".
- Include evidence in your report.
- File a complaint with consumer protection bodies:
- Competition Authority of Kenya
- Consumers Federation of Kenya
Red Flags: Signs of an Unlicensed Lender
🚩 Warning signs:
- No CBK licence number displayed.
- Requests full access to your contacts.
- Extremely high interest rate (>100% APR).
- Threatening messages about repayment.
- Calls to people in your contact list.
- Listed on our scam loan app blacklist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all loan apps on Google Play licensed?
No. Google has removed over 500 apps, but new ones keep appearing. Always check the CBK directory before using any loan app.
What happens if I took a loan from an unlicensed lender?
You still owe the principal, but you can report unlawful conduct to the CBK. Interest rates higher than what is legally allowed may be unenforceable.
Can CBK-licensed lenders still charge high interest rates?
Yes. The CBK does not cap interest rates, but licensed lenders must disclose all costs clearly. Compare interest rates on PesaMarket before you borrow.
How often does the CBK update the list of licensed lenders?
The list is updated after each licensing batch, typically every quarter.
Bottom Line
With 195 licensed digital credit providers in Kenya, borrowers have plenty of legal options. Always confirm your loan app is CBK-licensed before borrowing, and report any lender operating without a licence.
See the scam loan app blacklist →
Last reviewed: January 2026. Always check the official CBK directory for the most current list.