Frequent Mistakes That Lead to CRB Blacklisting in Kenya
The Credit Reference Bureau (CRB) in Kenya plays a crucial role in the country’s financial system by tracking the credit history of individuals and businesses. A CRB listing provides lenders with insight into a borrower’s repayment behavior. However, when someone fails to repay loans or defaults on credit obligations, they risk being negatively listed, a […]
Why Kenyan Banks Are Accelerating Fintech Partnerships
Kenyan lenders are scaling digital alliances as the banking sector adapts to rapid technology adoption, shifting consumer expectations, and growth in mobile-led finance. Partnerships between Kenyan banks and fintech firms have risen sharply in 2025, driven by competitive pressure, regulation supporting integration, and long-term revenue opportunities. Analysts expect the projection of fintech revenues across Africa […]
Kerry and Concern Worldwide Champion Sustainable Nutrition in Kenya.
In the arid landscape of Tana River County, a partnership between global nutrition leader Kerry and the humanitarian organization Concern Worldwide is yielding tangible results. Their joint ‘ALIVE’ programme is actively empowering smallholder farming communities, transforming the challenges of climate vulnerability and food insecurity into opportunities for sustainable growth. For many in rural Kenya, the […]
The Difference Between Credit Scores and Credit Reports
Credit scores and credit reports are both regulated under the Credit Reference Bureau (CRB) Regulations by the Central Bank of Kenya, and are used by lenders to assess how risky a borrower is before approving credit. While they are closely linked, they serve distinct purposes: a credit report provides a detailed record of your borrowing […]
How CBK Regulations Affect CRB Listing and Delisting
The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) plays a critical role in overseeing how Credit Reference Bureaus (CRBs) manage credit information through the Banking (Credit Reference Bureau) Regulations, 2020. These regulations, which were reinstated by the High Court in February 2024 after a brief nullification, standardize how financial data is collected, shared, and stored. The framework […]
Here’s What You Should Know About Your Borrower Rights Under the Data Protection Act
Kenya’s Data Protection Act, 2019 (DPA), came into force in November 2019, transforming how personal and financial data is handled by lenders, digital credit providers (DCPs), and Credit Reference Bureaus (CRBs). For borrowers, the law provides stronger protection against data misuse and unfair profiling, ensuring that financial information is collected, stored, and shared responsibly. The […]
The Next Phase of Banking Through Integration with Fintech and Insurance
Kenya’s banking sector is undergoing a major transformation as it enters the next phase of digital evolution, one defined by the integration of fintech and insurance. Having pioneered mobile money through M-Pesa, Kenya is now expanding its financial ecosystem into a more connected, data-driven, and inclusive landscape. The National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) 2025–2028, developed […]
How Credit Bureaus Collect and Use Borrower Data in Kenya
Credit Reference Bureaus in Kenya are central to how lenders assess and manage risk. Regulated by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) under the Banking (Credit Reference Bureau) Regulations, 2020, there are three licensed CRBs in Kenya: TransUnion Africa (formerly CRB Africa), Metropol CRB, and Creditinfo CRB. These agencies collect borrower data, process it, and […]
CBK’s Role in Regulating Digital Banks and Mobile Wallets
The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) is at the center of regulating digital banks and mobile wallets in Kenya. Its mandate, drawn from the Central Bank of Kenya Act (Cap 491) and Article 231 of the Constitution, focuses on ensuring monetary stability, expanding financial inclusion, and enabling innovation in the payments ecosystem. As the overseer […]
Data Protection Laws in Kenya and Their Impact on Digital Banking
Kenya’s growing digital economy has created new opportunities for financial inclusion, but it has also raised urgent questions around personal data security. The Data Protection Act, 2019 (DPA), which came into effect on November 25, 2019, is the country’s main legal framework for data protection. It enforces Article 31 of the Constitution on the right […]