A deep overview of business and SME loans in Kenya

Executive summary

In Kenya today, starting or growing a small business is not just an ambition. It’s a necessity for millions. With formal employment opportunities lagging behind population growth, many Kenyans turn to business ownership as their main source of income. From small retail kiosks to mobile money agents and online boutiques, these enterprises form the pillar of the country’s economy. Yet one issue persists across the board: access to affordable, reliable credit.

For years, borrowing has remained a major challenge, especially for small business owners without collateral, formal banking history, or high credit scores. Even as financial services have advanced, thanks to mobile lending apps, digital banking, and government-backed programs. Many entrepreneurs still struggle to find loans that work for their reality.

This article explores the state of business and SME loans in Kenya from 2019 to 2024. We look at how different types of credit are used, the rules that govern lending, the institutions driving access, and the everyday impact on small businesses across the country. Whether through banks, SACCOs, digital platforms, or informal channels, we examine how Kenya’s business owners are financing their operations and what’s next for them.

Background (2019–2024)

Kenya’s SME sector accounts for a significant portion of the economy, estimated at over 33% of the GDP. It employs the majority of working Kenyans. The businesses are as varied as they are widespread: from the kiosk operator in Kisumu to the logistics startup in Nairobi’s industrial area.

The years following 2019 marked an intense cycle of highs and lows:

2019: A rebound period after the repeal of interest rate caps that had stifled bank lending to riskier sectors.

2020: COVID-19 disrupted nearly every SME, drying up cash flows and forcing emergency interventions. The government moved quickly to suspend negative credit listings, but the damage had been done.

2021: Recovery started slowly, backed by a state-supported Credit Guarantee Scheme aimed at derisking SME loans.

2022-2023: Fintech firms found themselves under a new regulatory spotlight. Central Bank of Kenya licensing became mandatory for digital lenders, marking a new era of oversight.

2024: A maturing ecosystem. While informal borrowing persists, more Kenyans are engaging with regulated credit services thanks to mobile innovations and growing trust.

Also read: Effective loan collections for lenders in Kenya

Regulatory framework

The regulation of SME credit in Kenya is driven by several institutions, with the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) playing the lead role. The CBK licenses and supervises banks, microfinance institutions (MFIs), and since 2022, digital credit providers (DCPs). This expansion of oversight reflects a growing need to ensure consumer protection in a rapidly evolving financial environment.

One of the most impactful regulatory efforts in recent years was the implementation of interest rate caps between 2016 and 2019. These were introduced to shield borrowers from exploitative pricing but ended up discouraging banks from lending to small businesses, which they considered too risky under fixed pricing rules. The eventual repeal of these caps restored banks’ ability to set loan rates more freely, reopening credit channels but also reintroducing concerns over affordability.

The regulatory spotlight intensified in 2022 when the CBK began licensing digital lenders under the Digital Credit Providers Regulations. These rules mandated transparency on interest rates and fees, enforced responsible data usage, and required digital lenders to register officially. This marked a turning point, especially for the mobile loan sector that had previously operated with minimal oversight.

Meanwhile, SACCOs are regulated separately by the Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority (SASRA). SACCOs have long been a form of support for small business owners, particularly in rural areas where bank branches are scarce. Their cooperative model and flexible terms make them a preferred option for many.

Despite these regulatory advances, a large portion of the lending market remains informal. Shylocks, digital-first micro-lenders without CBK licensing, and peer savings groups (chamas) operate largely outside regulatory frameworks. While these channels offer quick and accessible credit, they also carry significant risks, from predatory practices to lack of recourse in disputes. The challenge now is how to bring more of this informal activity under protective regulation without stifling access or innovation.

Types of business and SME loans

In Kenya, one size doesn’t fit all. SME loans come in many forms, reflecting the diversity of business needs and lender offerings:

• Working capital loans help traders and shop owners manage short-term liquidity gaps.
• Asset financing is popular with farmers and manufacturers looking to acquire machinery or vehicles without upfront cash.
• Trade finance helps wholesalers and importers keep their supply chains running.
• Group loans, such as those accessed via chamas or cooperatives, thrive because peer guarantees reduce risk.
• Mobile microloans, accessed in seconds through apps, have become a go-to for boda boda riders, fruit vendors, and market sellers. These loans are usually small, short-term, and come with high interest.

The informal economy’s influence is massive. In rural areas, group-based loans are often the only available option. In cities, mobile credit fills the gaps left by cautious banks.

Also read: Who regulates lending in Kenya?

Cultural views and attitudes

For many older Kenyans, taking a loan, especially from a bank, is something you do only when there’s no other option. It’s tied to fear of losing your property, being chased by lenders, or even facing public embarrassment. There’s a lingering belief that debt means failure.

But younger Kenyans don’t carry the same baggage. Many see credit as a way to grow a business, invest in an idea, or just get through tough months. They’re more comfortable with mobile loans, apps, and even digital-first lenders, even if the interest rates are steep.

Group-based lending like chamas and SACCOs still plays a big role. They come with strong social pressure: if you default, you don’t just lose money, you lose face. In some communities, missing a repayment can mean being quietly cut off from support, business deals, or even invitations to events.

Gender also shapes how people experience borrowing. Women, especially those running small businesses, tend to be more consistent with repayments. But getting approved for a loan is often harder for them. That’s why you’ll find more products now targeting women-led businesses, from banks, NGOs, and even fintech startups trying to close that gap.

In short, borrowing in Kenya isn’t just about money. It’s wrapped up in pride, trust, and community expectations. And as attitudes shift, especially among the youth, the lending space is slowly catching up.

Also read: Top 5 loan apps for 5000 Ksh in Kenya

Future prospects

Kenya’s SME lending scene is on the brink of transformation, driven by both necessary growth and necessity. New models are emerging that aim to solve old problems, while technology continues to blur the lines between banks, fintechs, and platforms.

One of the most exciting trends is alternative credit scoring. Lenders are starting to go beyond traditional credit checks and are now using data from phone usage, mobile money transactions, utility bills, and even social media behavior to evaluate creditworthiness. This approach is especially promising for the many Kenyans who lack formal credit histories but are active digital users.

Embedded finance is also switching things up. Loans are being built directly into the platforms that SMEs already use, whether that’s a point-of-sale system in a retail shop or a supplier’s e-commerce portal. This gives businesses quicker, more easier access to credit exactly when they need it.

Open banking could further widen access to credit by allowing different financial institutions to securely share customer data with consent. But for this to work at scale, Kenya will need clear and mature regulatory frameworks that ensure privacy and fairness.

That said, there are serious obstacles. Credit literacy remains low in many parts of the country. Many small business owners juggle several loans at once, often without fully understanding the terms. This can lead to over-indebtedness and defaults. On top of that, macroeconomic pressures like inflation and currency volatility make it harder for SMEs to plan and repay.

If the current pace of continues and regulation keeps step, Kenya could emerge as a leader in inclusive, tech-driven credit systems across Africa. But the future must be built carefully. Access to credit is important, but it should never come at the cost of long-term financial health.

Also read: How to get started as a lender in Kenya

Progress, but still a work in progress

From 2019 to 2024, the story of business and SME loans in Kenya has been one of gradual progress amidst persistent complexity. The market is more structured, more digital, and arguably more fair than it was five years ago. But gaps in access, understanding, and trust persist, especially outside urban centers.

For policymakers, the task is to encourage responsible lending while expanding access. For lenders, it’s about balancing innovation with accountability. And for everyday entrepreneurs, the credit ecosystem is slowly becoming a ladder.