CBK and CIS Kenya Sign Strategic Partnership to Strengthen Credit Information Sharing and Financial Sector Capacity Building
The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) and the Credit Information Sharing Association of Kenya (CIS Kenya) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on October 6, 2025, to deepen collaboration in advancing Kenya’s credit information sharing framework and financial sector capacity building. The signing ceremony took place at the CBK Institute of Monetary Studies (CBK IMS) in Nairobi.
The partnership reaffirms CBK’s continued support for the Credit Information Sharing (CIS) ecosystem. It also acknowledges CIS Kenya’s evolution from 2009 when it was established as a joint initiative between CBK and the Kenya Bankers Association (KBA) with support from the Financial Sector Deepening (FSD) Trust, to its current status as a member-based association that brings together credit providers across multiple sectors in promoting responsible lending, credit risk management, and access to finance.
Under the MOU, CBK IMS will host CIS Kenya offices, ensuring that CIS Kenya remains accessible to credit providers from all sectors while continuing to serve as a neutral, knowledge-driven body that supports credit market growth and inclusion. In return, CIS Kenya will provide expert input to CBK’s policy formulation processes on matters related to credit information sharing, coordinate industry-wide feedback on regulatory proposals, and make its research and learning materials available to CBK IMS. CIS Kenya will also collaborate in developing and delivering training programs in risk management and credit information sharing, and support CBK IMS conferences and events.
Speaking during the signing, the Director of the CBK Institute of Monetary Studies, Prof. Dulacha Barako, emphasized the importance of collaborative approaches to enhancing credit culture, improving financial literacy, and building a more resilient financial sector. “This partnership underscores CBK’s commitment to fostering a sound, transparent, and inclusive credit market. By hosting CIS Kenya, we are strengthening institutional cooperation and leveraging shared expertise to advance Kenya’s financial sector development agenda,” he said.
Mr. Peter Gatere, Deputy Director at CBK IMS, highlighted the practical benefits of the collaboration in enhancing knowledge exchange and policy innovation.
“The presence of CIS Kenya at the CBK Institute of Monetary Studies creates new opportunities for joint research, training, and stakeholder engagement. This collaboration will help bridge policy and practice, ensuring that the lessons from the credit market directly inform financial sector reforms and capacity building,” said Mr. Gatere.
On his part, Mr. Jared Getenga, the Chief Executive Officer of CIS Kenya, lauded the partnership as a reaffirmation of the long-standing relationship between the two institutions and a catalyst for innovation in the credit information sharing space.
“This MOU represents more than just a continuation of our historical ties with the CBK—it is a renewed commitment to drive meaningful change in how credit information is used to expand access to finance,” said Mr. Getenga. “The arrangement opens up new opportunities, including expanded use of the industry data validation and submission tool that was approved recently by the Central Bank,” he added.
Ms. Adah Mukubi, Head of Communications at CIS Kenya, noted that the agreement marks a milestone in the Association’s journey toward expanding its impact and deepening industry collaboration. She noted that the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) services provided by CIS Kenya through the Tatua Center will continue to serve consumers of credit with efficient channels to resolve any complaints they have, using its affordable mediation program.
This collaboration is expected to play a key role in supporting Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the Financial Sector Development Strategy (FSDS), both of which prioritize inclusive finance, innovation, and sustainable economic growth.
