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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...

From Local to Global: Tripesa's Visionary Approach to Digitizing Africa's Tourism

Tripesa, Ugandan tech




In the heart of East Africa's burgeoning tech scene, Tripesa, a game-changer in the tourism industry, emerged in 2021 with a mission to transform the digital landscape for small tourism businesses across Uganda and Kenya. With a dedicated team of 17 members, Tripesa is flipping the script for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) by providing a customisable, no-code platform to build and manage online commercial presence.

Aimed at empowering the underrepresented players in Africa's tourism game - the local tour guides, car-hire services, and souvenir sellers - Tripesa's platform, priced at an affordable $180 per year, acts as a springboard into the digital space. This platform, reminiscent of Shopify but tailored specifically for the tourism sector, allows these businesses to establish an e-commerce-enabled website without needing intricate technical know-how.


David Gonahasa


At the helm of this revolution is David Gonahasa, a visionary behind some of Africa's pioneering tourism-booking marketplaces, leading Tripesa alongside tech-savvy co-founders Thomas Karugaba and Raymond Byaruhanga. Their combined expertise in fintech and tech development injects Tripesa with a potent blend of industry insight and technical prowess.

Leveraging their user base of over 400 and a revenue model tapping into subscriptions, payments, and lead generation, Tripesa isn't just about profits; they're actively collaborating with governments and partners to drive mass digitalization initiatives.

In a laissez-faire economy where giants rule, Tripesa stands as a beacon of hope, aiming to democratise technology for Africa's tourism sector. As they pave the way for a more interconnected and prosperous future for small tourism enterprises, Tripesa's journey exemplifies a commitment to levelling the playing field and embracing digital empowerment in East Africa's vibrant tourism tapestry.

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