How to Check if a Digital Lender Is Safe and CBK-Licensed in Kenya (2026)
A guide to verifying whether a digital loan app in Kenya is licensed by the Central Bank of Kenya. Includes the CBK register, red flags to watch for, and what licensed lenders are legally prohibited from doing.
By PesaMarket Research Team · Last updated February 2026
Check the CBK register of licensed digital credit providers at cbk.go.ke. As of February 2026, only 32 digital lenders are CBK-licensed. Any app not on the register is operating illegally. Licensed lenders cannot access your contacts, charge upfront fees, or publicly shame defaulters.
How to Verify a Digital Lender's License
The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) maintains a public register of all licensed digital credit providers. This is the only reliable way to check if a loan app is legitimate.
To check: visit www.cbk.go.ke and navigate to the Digital Credit Providers section, or search for "CBK licensed digital credit providers" on Google. The register lists the company name, trading name (app name), and license number.
As of February 2026, CBK has licensed 32 digital credit providers. This number has grown slowly since the Digital Credit Providers Regulations took effect in 2023. Hundreds of unlicensed apps remain on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store despite CBK enforcement efforts.
If a lender is not on the CBK register, they are operating illegally in Kenya. You have no legal obligation to repay loans from unlicensed lenders, and they cannot legally pursue you through the courts.
Red Flags: Signs of an Illegal Loan App
Unlicensed loan apps share common characteristics that are easy to spot before you borrow.
The biggest red flag is an app that requests access to your phone contacts during installation. CBK regulations prohibit licensed lenders from accessing borrower contacts. If an app asks for contacts permission, it is almost certainly unlicensed and will use your contacts list to harass you and your family if you miss a payment.
Other warning signs include apps that charge processing or application fees before disbursing the loan, extremely short repayment periods (less than 14 days), interest rates above 33% per month, apps with no physical address or customer service number in Kenya, and apps that promise guaranteed approval with no requirements.
| Red Flag | Why It Matters | Legal Status |
|---|---|---|
| Requests contacts access | Will harass your contacts for debt recovery | Prohibited by CBK |
| Charges upfront fees | Legitimate lenders deduct fees from disbursement | Prohibited by CBK |
| No CBK license number | Operating outside regulatory framework | Illegal |
| Interest above 33%/month | Predatory pricing above market norms | Under CBK scrutiny |
| Loan term under 14 days | Designed to trap borrowers in rollover cycles | Not prohibited but risky |
| Threatens to call employer | Debt shaming and privacy violation | Prohibited by CBK |
| No Kenya office address | Cannot be held accountable locally | Regulatory concern |
| Sends mass SMS about your debt | Public shaming of defaulters | Prohibited by CBK |
What Licensed Lenders Cannot Do
CBK regulations impose strict rules on how licensed digital lenders operate. Knowing your rights protects you from abuse even when dealing with licensed apps.
Licensed lenders cannot access your phone contacts, photos, or messages. They cannot contact your family, friends, or employer about your debt. They cannot publicly shame you on social media or via mass SMS. They cannot charge hidden fees not disclosed before loan acceptance.
Licensed lenders must disclose the total cost of the loan (including all fees) before you accept. They must provide a 3-day cooling-off period during which you can return the loan without penalty. They must give you at least 30 days notice before reporting you to CRB for default.
If a licensed lender violates any of these rules, you can file a complaint with CBK through their website or by calling their consumer hotline.
What to Do If You Borrowed from an Illegal App
If you already borrowed from an unlicensed lender and are being harassed, take these steps.
First, stop making payments. You have no legal obligation to repay an illegal lender. The loan agreement is unenforceable under Kenyan law because the lender lacks a valid CBK license.
Second, revoke app permissions on your phone. Go to Settings, then Apps, find the loan app, and remove all permissions (especially contacts and SMS). Then uninstall the app.
Third, if the app has already accessed your contacts and is sending threatening messages to people you know, report it to CBK (complaints@centralbank.go.ke) and file a report with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). You can also report the app to Google Play Store for policy violations.
Fourth, block all numbers associated with the lender. Illegal lenders often use multiple phone numbers to contact you.
Major CBK-Licensed Digital Lenders (February 2026)
Below are some of the most well-known CBK-licensed digital credit providers in Kenya. This is not a complete list. Always verify on the CBK website for the most current register.
| App Name | Company Name | CBK License |
|---|---|---|
| Tala | Tala Kenya Limited | Yes |
| Branch | Branch International Limited | Yes |
| Zenka | Zenka Finance Limited | Yes |
| Okash | OPUS Technologies Limited | Yes |
| Berry | Roam Technologies Limited | Yes |
| Kashway | Kashway Fintech Limited | Yes |
| 4G Capital | 4G Capital Limited | Yes |
| Mogo | Mogo Kenya Limited | Yes |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many digital lenders are licensed by CBK?
- As of February 2026, CBK has licensed 32 digital credit providers. The number has grown gradually since the Digital Credit Providers Regulations were enacted in 2023. Check the CBK website for the current list.
- Can an unlicensed lender take me to court in Kenya?
- No. An unlicensed digital lender cannot legally enforce a loan agreement through Kenyan courts. The loan contract is void because the lender is operating without a required CBK license. However, this does not apply to licensed lenders.
- Are M-Shwari and Fuliza CBK-licensed digital lenders?
- M-Shwari and Fuliza are not classified as digital credit providers under the CBK regulations. They are products of licensed commercial banks (NCBA for M-Shwari/Fuliza, KCB for KCB M-Pesa) offered through M-Pesa. These banks are separately licensed and regulated.
- Can a licensed lender access my phone contacts?
- No. CBK regulations explicitly prohibit licensed digital lenders from accessing borrower contacts, photos, or messages. If any app requests contacts permission, it is either unlicensed or violating its license conditions. Report it to CBK.
- What should I do if a loan app is sending messages to my contacts?
- Report the app to CBK at complaints@centralbank.go.ke with screenshots. Also report it to the DCI and on Google Play Store. Revoke the app's permissions, uninstall it, and block all associated phone numbers. You are not legally obligated to repay an illegal lender.
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