Burundi’s Banks Are Changing but How Far Can the Transformation Go
Burundi’s banking sector is undergoing a period of change, balancing between profit-making, structural reforms, and the promise of digital transformation. While the sector remains small compared to regional peers, it plays a central role in supporting the country’s projected GDP growth of 3–6% in 2025, driven by mining investments and the recovery of the secondary […]
What It Means to Be a Licensed Digital Credit Provider (DCP) in Kenya
Digital credit has transformed financial inclusion in Kenya, giving millions of people quick access to loans through mobile apps and online platforms. The movement began with innovations like M-Shwari in 2012, which demonstrated how mobile technology could extend credit to those outside traditional banking. Yet, the industry’s rapid expansion also introduced challenges: predatory lending, harassment […]
He Borrowed KSh 400k, Paid KSh 1.8m and Still Owes: Fresh Complaints Emerge Against MOGO Finance
MOGO Finance, a digital lender operating in Kenya, is facing renewed scrutiny after a video circulating online highlighted allegations of hidden charges and exploitative loan terms. A borrower who sought KSh 150,000 to cover his mother’s hospital bills claims he was misled into taking a loan that was later pegged in US dollars. He says […]
How Loan Apps Are Regulated in Kenya: CBK and Beyond
Kenya’s digital lending sector has grown rapidly since the mid-2010s, fueled by mobile penetration and smartphone adoption. Loan apps such as Tala, Branch, and M-Shwari have become household names, offering instant microloans through mobile interfaces or USSD codes. By June 2025, licensed digital credit providers (DCPs) had disbursed 5.5 million loans worth KSh 76.8 billion […]
The Role of M-Pesa in the Rise of Loan Apps
In the landscape of financial innovation, few stories rival that of M-Pesa, Kenya’s groundbreaking mobile money service launched in 2007 by Safaricom in partnership with Vodafone. Derived from “M” for mobile and “Pesa” meaning money in Swahili, M-Pesa was initially conceived to facilitate microloan repayments for rural farmers affiliated with the Faulu Kenya microfinance institution. […]
After a Profit Warning, What’s Usually Next for Shareholders?
When a listed company in Kenya issues a profit warning, it often rattles both retail and institutional investors. The announcement, a regulatory requirement under the Capital Markets Authority (CMA), signals that the firm expects its earnings for the current financial year to fall by at least 25% compared to the previous year. For shareholders, the […]
Djibouti’s Biggest Bank Follows KCB, Equity Bank in Pursuit of Ethiopian Market
Banque pour le Commerce et l’Industrie Mer Rouge (BCIMR), Djibouti’s Biggest Bank, has announced plans to expand into Ethiopia, joining Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) Group and Equity Bank in targeting Africa’s second-most populous country after recent reforms lifted a long-standing ban on foreign lenders. The announcement highlights the growing race among East African banks to […]
Can Loan Interest in Kenya Be More Than the Amount Borrowed? Here’s What the Law Says
The question of whether loan interest in Kenya can exceed the amount borrowed remains a pressing issue for borrowers, particularly as complaints about predatory lending practices grow. The short answer is no. Under Kenyan law, interest on a loan cannot surpass the original principal once the loan becomes non-performing. This safeguard, known as the in […]
When Family and Finance Collide: Key Details Behind Peter Munga’s Wife Suing Him and ABC Bank
Peter Munga, the billionaire founder of Equity Bank Group, is once again in court, but this time, the challenge comes from within his own family. His wife, Rose Njambi Munga, has filed a lawsuit against him and ABC Bank, opening a new chapter in a long-running battle over loans, collateral, and one of his most […]
How Salary Advance Loan Limits Are Calculated
Salary advance loans, often referred to as payday or cash advance loans, have become a common short-term financial solution for salaried employees in Kenya. These loans provide quick access to funds based on anticipated earnings and are usually repayable within one to six months through direct deductions from the borrower’s next paycheck. Unlike traditional loans […]