Digital Credit Provider Licence — Fees and Charges in Kenya

A Digital Credit Provider (DCP) is an entity that provides credit through digital channels — mobile applications, online platforms, or USSD-based lending services. Following widespread concerns about predatory lending and consumer protection failures by unregulated mobile lenders, the CBK gained regulatory authority over DCPs through the Business Laws (Amendment) Act, 2019. The CBK (Digital Credit Providers) Regulations, 2022 formalised this framework. The Business Laws (Amendment) Act, 2024 subsequently expanded this framework further into non-deposit-taking credit provision generally.

Current Fees (Under DCP Regulations, 2022)

Fee Item	Amount (KES)
Application fee (non-refundable)	5,000
Annual licence fee	As specified in CBK DCP schedule

Proposed Fees (Under Draft NDTCP Regulations, 2025)

Fee Item	Amount (KES)
Application fee (licensing or registration)	100,000
Annual fee — Licensed entity	500,000
Annual fee — Registered entity	250,000

The draft 2025 regulations propose substantial fee increases to reflect CBK's expanded supervisory mandate over the now much larger digital lending sector.

Key Application Requirements

Requirement	Details
Company incorporation	Private limited company registered with BRS
CBK name pre-approval	Required before BRS registration
Form CBK DCP 1	Online licence application form
Fit and proper forms (CBK DCP 2 & 3)	For directors, CEO, senior officers, and significant shareholders
Business plan	Including delivery channels, pricing model, and credit policy
AML/CFT policy	Required
Data protection policy	Must comply with the Data Protection Act, 2019
IT systems documentation	Required; CBK may conduct data submission testing
Credit reference bureau report	For each significant shareholder, director, CEO, and senior officer

Regulated by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) under the CBK Act, Cap. 491, and the CBK (Digital Credit Providers) Regulations, 2022.

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