Digital Lending Software for Kenyan Credit Providers
Lendpoint is digital lending software for Kenyan credit providers. Borrowers apply over USSD, the web portal or the mobile app. Your rules score them and set their limits, and approved loans go straight to M-Pesa. Repayments are matched automatically, and your team runs approvals, collections and accounting from the same back office.
You get a complete lending stack without building one, so you can spend your time on credit policy and customers.
What a digital lender needs from its software
Kenya's digital credit market is crowded and closely regulated. CBK's directory listed 281 licensed digital credit providers by September 2026, and new rules published that month bring every non-deposit-taking lender under CBK registration or licensing. To compete, a lender needs:
- Reach. Customers on feature phones as well as smartphones.
- Speed. A decision and the money on the borrower's phone in minutes, not days.
- Control. Credit rules that are applied the same way every time, with limits that grow as customers repay.
- Collections. Reminders, penalties and rollovers that run automatically and transparently.
- Evidence. A record of every decision and every shilling, for the regulator, auditors and disputes.
How Lendpoint covers the full digital lending cycle
1. Borrower channels: USSD, portal and app
Borrowers can register, set a PIN, check their limit, apply, repay and get a mini-statement over USSD on any phone. Smartphone users get a branded self-service portal and mobile app under your name.
2. Credit scoring and limits
Each borrower has a credit score and a loan limit. Each product sets a minimum score and minimum and maximum amounts, and allows or blocks multiple active loans. Good repayment history feeds back into what a customer can borrow next.
3. Instant M-Pesa disbursement
Approved loans are paid to the borrower's M-Pesa through the B2C API and recorded against the loan and in the general ledger. You decide per product whether fees are withheld at disbursement or repaid with the loan.
4. Automatic repayments and reconciliation
Paybill repayments arrive through the C2B API and are matched to the right loan. STK push lets borrowers pay the exact amount due with their PIN. Overpayments are credited to the borrower's wallet, and nothing is lost in a suspense account. More on the M-Pesa integration.
5. Collections, penalties and rollovers
Borrowers receive SMS reminders before and on the due date and when they are overdue. Penalties follow your configured policy, and loans that need review are flagged to staff. Rollovers close the original loan and open a linked new one, and early full repayment can earn a product-defined discount.
6. Back office and reporting
Staff roles, approvals, collection targets, expense tracking and accounting reports are built in. Live dashboards and AI insights show disbursements, collections and arrears as they happen.
Launch a test loan product in a 7-day free trial
Compliance: what software can and can't do
Software does not make you compliant. Your licence, policies and conduct do. But your system decides how easy compliance is.
| Requirement | Where it comes from | How Lendpoint helps |
|---|---|---|
| Licence or registration to lend | CBK Act (as amended in 2024) and the Non-Deposit-Taking Credit Providers Regulations, 2026 | Not software. See how to get a CBK lending licence. Google Play only lists Kenyan loan apps from lenders in the CBK directory. |
| Transparent pricing to borrowers | CBK consumer protection expectations | Interest, fees and the repayment schedule are calculated and fixed at approval. The borrower gets the amount sent, total repayment and due date by SMS. |
| Fair, consistent collections | CBK rules on debt collection conduct | Automated reminders and policy-driven penalties, with every action logged. |
| Protection of borrower data | Data Protection Act, 2019 | Isolated database per lender and role-based staff access. |
| Records for audit and disputes | CBK and your auditors | A complete loan audit log and a general ledger with balances before and after each transaction. |
This table is a summary, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with CBK and your advisers.
Build vs buy
Many new lenders start by commissioning a custom app. That means months of development, then the ongoing cost of maintaining M-Pesa integrations, USSD sessions, SMS, ledgers and security yourself. With Lendpoint you can start on proven infrastructure from KES 5,000 a month, test your credit model with real customers, and spend your capital on lending. If you outgrow the standard plans, Enterprise covers custom integrations.
Running a branch-based MFI as well? See our microfinance management system.
Pricing in Kenyan shillings
Lendpoint publishes its prices, so you know what you will pay before you talk to anyone.
| Plan | Best for | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | Individual lenders, single-branch SACCOs and MFIs | KES 5,000 | KES 50,000 |
| Professional | Multi-branch and growing lenders | KES 8,000 | KES 80,000 |
| Enterprise | High-volume lenders and custom integrations | Contact sales | |
A one-time KES 10,000 onboarding and migration fee applies. Every plan starts with a 7-day free trial, with no credit card required. Compare plans in detail.
Frequently asked questions
What is digital lending software?
Digital lending software lets borrowers apply, get approved, receive funds and repay without visiting a branch. In Kenya that usually means applications over USSD or an app, automated scoring and limits, disbursement to M-Pesa and repayments via Paybill or STK push, with the back office handled in the same system.
Do I need a CBK licence to run a lending business?
Yes. Since the 2026 Non-Deposit-Taking Credit Providers Regulations, every lender that lends its own money without taking deposits must be registered or licensed by the Central Bank of Kenya, whether it lends through an app, USSD or an office. Google Play also only lists Kenyan loan apps from lenders in the CBK directory. Software does not replace the licence, but it should help you meet its disclosure, data protection and record-keeping expectations.
Can borrowers apply over USSD?
Yes. Borrowers can register, set a PIN, check their limit, apply, repay and get a mini-statement over USSD, so you can lend to customers on any phone.
How fast can loans be disbursed?
Once a loan is approved, Lendpoint can send the funds to the borrower's M-Pesa automatically through the M-Pesa B2C API. Repayments made through your Paybill are matched to the right loan automatically.
How does credit scoring work in Lendpoint?
Each borrower has a credit score and a loan limit, and each loan product sets a minimum score and minimum and maximum amounts. Repayment behaviour feeds back into what a borrower can access next time.
Can I offer rollovers and early repayment discounts?
Yes. Rollovers close the original loan and open a linked new one with a full audit trail, and each product can offer a discount for early full repayment.
What does Lendpoint cost for a digital lender?
Plans start at KES 5,000 per month, with a one-time KES 10,000 onboarding fee. High-volume lenders that need custom integrations can request Enterprise pricing.