Agence Ecofin TikTok Agence Ecofin Youtube Agence WhatsApp

Finance

Kenyan banks cut loans obtained via mobile phones

Monday, 23 November 2020 19:07
Kenyan banks cut loans obtained via mobile phones

(Ecofin Agency) - Many large commercial banks in Kenya have announced they have cut the amount of credit granted through mobile phones. Kenya Commercial Bank, one of the largest banking institutions in the East African country, says it has reduced the volume of credit it provides through this channel from KSh10 billion to KSh5 billion. Equity Group for its part has decided to lend only to those who own a bank account within the company.

To support very small businesses and households during the covid-19 period, the Central Bank of Kenya has, among other measures, called for the suspension of the publication by credit bureaus of defaulting debtors between early April and late September 2020. Bank officials believe this has led to an increase in delinquency rates among borrowers.

The risk of an accumulation of bad debts was too high because the approval of microcredits granted via mobile phones by banks is done on a platform that takes into account the positive points present in the history of the borrowers. However, with covid-19, several thousand people found themselves unable to repay their loans, either because their activities declined or because they lost their jobs.

The banks' decision was in favor of Safaricom, Kenya's mobile phone and money transactions leader. Its financial overdraft platform, Fuliza, saw a flow of new loans up to 149.5 billion shillings over the period reviewed. This figure is up by more than 33% YoY. Disbursement processes on the platform are easier and interest rates are quite low for borrowers.

Idriss Linge





 
Mining


 
Telecom


 
Public Management



ECOFIN AGENCY offers a selection of articles translated from AGENCE ECOFIN. Founded in 2011, Agence Ecofin is a leader in Francophone Pan-African economic news, particularly in West and Central Africa. The agency publishes daily news on nine African economic sectors: Public Management, Finance, ICT, Agribusiness, Energy, Mining, Transport & Logistics, Communication, and Training.

AGENCE ECOFIN
Mediamania Sarl
Rue du Léman, 6
1201 Genève
Tél: +41 22 301 96 11

EDITORIAL TEAM
redaction@agenceecofin.com

ADVERTISING SALES
Benjamin FLAUX
bf@agenceecofin.com
Tél: +41 22 301 96 11
Mob: +41 78 699 13 72

 

Please publish modules in offcanvas position.