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Kenya Digital Lenders Awards 2024
Gerald Kombo
April 01, 2025
(Little Pesa Awarded the Overall Best Digital Lender in Kenya at the 2024 Digital Lenders Awards, setting the benchmark for innovation, customer experience, and governance in the digital lending space. Photo Credit: Joseph Kibet Kiptarus.)
The Kenya Digital Lenders Awards 2024 celebrated the most innovative and impactful players in Kenya's digital lending sector. The prestigious awards recognized industry leaders who have transformed financial access through technology, governance, and customer experience.
Chief Judge's Address
Chief Judge Dan Awendo addressing the audience as Chief Judge at the 2024 Digital Lenders Awards, highlighting the importance of governance, financial inclusion, and innovation in the sector. Photo Credit: Joseph Kibet Kiptarus.
Chief Judge Dan Awendo, Founder and Chief Mentorship Officer, delivered an insightful keynote, emphasizing the significance of financial inclusion and responsible governance in the sector:
Without entrepreneurship and funding support, it is impossible to liberate a country from poverty. Financial access empowers people to grow their businesses, pay school fees, and maintain dignity.
Dan Awendo underscored the importance of data transparency, governance, and strategic business growth, urging lenders to strengthen their structures to attract venture capital and expand beyond Kenya.
Quantify your greatness. Saying you grew is good, but saying you grew by 40% in the SME space is much better. Governance is not about ticking boxes; it's about long-term trust creation.
He also highlighted the role of artificial intelligence in applications, warning against over-reliance on AI-generated responses:
Some submissions were clearly written by AI. While technology is helpful, it cannot replace authentic storytelling. Combine data with heart, and you will always stand out.
Recognizing Excellence: Award Winners
The Kenya Digital Lenders Awards 2024 honored top-performing lenders across multiple categories:
Best Digital Lenders for Individuals
Fincorp Credit
Mwananchi Credit
Little Pesa
Best Digital Lenders for Small Businesses
Fincorp Credit
Umoja Fanisi Limited
Sevi Innovation
Best Digital Lenders in Customer Experience
Ngao Credit
Little Pesa
Fincorp Credit
Best Digital Lender in Governance
Little Pesa
Best Digital Lender in Risk Management
Tala
Umoja Fanisi
Little Pesa
Best Mobile Digital Lending App
Little Pesa
Bayes Capital
Fastest Growing Digital Lender
Fincorp Credit
Auto Check
Umoja Fanisi
Most Affordable Digital Lender (Lowest Interest Rates)
Umoja Fanisi
Mwananchi Credit
Little Pesa
Most Inclusive Digital Lender
Sevi Innovation
Fincorp Credit
Batek Credit
Most Trusted Digital Lender
Lockbox
Fincorp Credit
Little Pesa
Overall Best Digital Lender in Kenya
Little Pesa
Sevi Innovation
Industry Growth and Future Outlook
The awards showcased the rapid evolution of digital lending in Kenya, with Ochieng Oloo, Founder and CEO of Think Business Limited, recognizing the industry's role in shaping financial inclusion. He praised the innovative efforts of digital lenders in expanding financial access beyond traditional banking institutions.
Ochieng Oloo, Founder and CEO of Think Business Limited, spearheading the recognition of excellence at the 2024 Digital Lenders Awards, celebrating industry leaders driving financial innovation in Kenya. Photo Credit: Joseph Kibet Kiptarus.
The digital lending sector is on fire. There's immense innovation and transformation happening, and the best part is that we're just getting started.
The award was supported by Silicon Craft, PKF, and Strathmore Business School, whose involvement ensured credibility and transparency in the selection process.
As Kenya’s digital lending sector continues to evolve, these awards serve as a benchmark for excellence, motivating industry players to improve governance, enhance customer service, and embrace innovation. Congratulations to all the winners!