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How to Check If a Digital Lender Is Licensed by CBK

More than 500 loan apps were pulled from the Google Play Store in Kenya in a single enforcement wave, after operating without a licence. By one industry count, of roughly 800 lending apps that have applied for a Central Bank of Kenya licence since digital lending took off, only around a quarter actually made it through. If you've ever downloaded a loan app on a friend's recommendation without checking whether it's actually regulated, here's how to find out in under two minutes. Why This Actually Matters An unlicensed lender isn't just operating in a legal grey area, it typically means none of Kenya's borrower protections apply to you. Licensed Digital Credit Providers are legally required to disclose the full Total Cost of Credit upfront, give borrowers a 24-hour cooling-off period, and are barred from harassment tactics like messaging everyone in your phone contacts over a missed payment. Unlicensed lenders routinely ignore all of it, and because they're no...
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Is Rwanda the New Hotspot for Kenyan Tech? MPost Moves Base!


Kenya's tech scene has been a powerhouse in Africa, but recent shifts are turning heads. MPost, renowned for transforming phone numbers into virtual addresses, is causing a stir by relocating its HQ from Nairobi to Kigali, Rwanda.

What’s the buzz all about? MPost hints at a brighter future in Rwanda, where they've had a footing since 2021 alongside operations in Burundi and Tanzania. They're setting up camp at Norrsken, a Swedish-backed hub in Kigali, prepping to kickstart their continent-wide expansion this November.

Why the big move? Well, it seems Kenya’s tech arena is feeling the pinch of increased taxes, with major players like Jumia and Multichoice airing concerns about potential overtaxation, especially in digital payments. MPost's full-scale shift might just be a sign that Kenya's becoming a tough playground for tech companies.

Meanwhile, Rwanda's gaining traction. Heavyweights like Paystack and Flutterwave are diving headfirst into Rwanda's tech ecosystem. Investors are betting big on Rwandan startups like Kasha and Ampersand, sensing a tech goldmine in the making. President Paul Kagame is positioning Rwanda as Africa's tech hotbed. Recent moves, like offering visa-free entry for all Africans, seem to be beckoning tech enthusiasts to explore Rwanda’s potential.

Rwanda’s got Norrsken House Kigali, a trendy hub enticing companies from all corners of Africa. The chairman of Norrsken envisions Rwanda as the perfect playground for tech experiments and innovations.

Moreover, serious money is backing this transition. Norrsken just infused $205 million into African tech, while the $30 million Rwanda Innovation Fund, in partnership with the African Development Bank, aims to turbocharge tech innovation.

Could Rwanda be Africa's next tech capital? The launch of Norrsken House Kigali might be just the starting point of a tech revolution. With MPost and others making the leap, Rwanda seems poised to spearhead Africa’s tech renaissance.






Location: Kenya

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