Central Bank of Kenya Provides Comprehensive Directory of Licensed Digital Credit Providers

CBK’s Digital Credit Directory: A Game Changer for Kenya’s Agriculture Sector

Nairobi, Kenya — The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) continues to strengthen consumer protection and financial transparency through its regularly updated Directory of Licensed Digital Credit Providers (DCPs). While this directory is an essential tool for the general public, its implications for Kenya’s agricultural sector are particularly significant.

With over 70% of Kenya’s workforce engaged in agriculture, access to affordable and ethical credit is central to driving rural transformation, boosting food security, and improving livelihoods. The digital lending space has emerged as a critical bridge for smallholder farmers, agribusinesses, and rural value chain actors who are traditionally excluded from formal banking.

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✅ Empowering Farmers with Safe Credit Access

The most recent edition of the “Directory of Digital Credit Providers,” updated on June 4, 2025, and published on the CBK website, lists all licensed digital lenders legally allowed to operate in Kenya. This empowers farmers, cooperatives, and rural SACCOs to verify the legitimacy of lenders before taking credit—helping to avoid exploitation by unregulated players.

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✅ Supporting Agri-SMEs and Input Financing

Digital credit has increasingly been used by agri-SMEs to:

• Purchase seeds, fertilizers, and tools during planting seasons
• Pay for mechanization services (e.g., tractor rentals)
• Bridge finance between harvest and market access

By listing only compliant DCPs, the CBK ensures that these services are delivered under strict consumer protection rules—curbing predatory interest rates, unfair recovery tactics, and data misuse.

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✅ A Reliable Resource for Agri-Fintechs and Rural Lenders

The CBK directory is not just for borrowers. It’s a vital reference for:

• Agri-fintech innovators looking to partner with licensed DCPs
• County governments rolling out input subsidy programs via mobile credit platforms
• Value chain coordinators and aggregators managing digital payments and credit flows among contracted farmers

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✅ Building a Resilient Rural Credit System

Established under the Central Bank of Kenya (Amendment) Act, 2021 and enforced via the Digital Credit Providers Regulations of 2022, the directory is part of a broader effort to instil accountability and discipline in Kenya’s fast-growing digital lending ecosystem.

The legal framework now includes:

• Mandatory licensing for all DCPs
• Data protection standards
• Limits on interest rates and recovery practices
• Clear grievance redress channels for rural borrowers

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📚 Key Resources on the CBK Website for the Agriculture Sector

• Digital Credit Providers Regulations, 2022 – Full legal framework for DCP licensing and governance
• Press Releases – Updates on newly licensed DCPs and enforcement actions
• Financial Sector Circulars – Notices affecting DCPs, including agri-credit guidelines

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⚠️ Advisory to Farmers and Rural Entrepreneurs

CBK urges the public to transact only with officially licensed digital credit providers. For farmers and agri-SMEs, this is not just about financial security—it’s about protecting farm assets, yields, and future income.

By consulting the CBK’s directory, Kenya’s agricultural community can navigate digital lending safely and strategically, driving inclusive rural development and contributing to the nation’s agricultural transformation.