CIS ValiData – An Innovative Tool for Efficient Data Validation and Submission of Credit Information to Credit Reference Bureaus
In 2017, the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) constituted a technical working group (TWG) to identify candidate proposals aimed at reforming and streamlining Kenya’s Credit Information Sharing (CIS) mechanism. The objectives of the TWG were to: (i) review and revise the data specification template that is used for the submission of credit information to the three licensed Credit Reference Bureaus (CRBs); (ii) standardise the rules applied by the CRBs when validating the data submitted; (iii) recommend an appropriate model for the validation and submission of credit information; and (iv) harmonise the interpretation of credit scores based on the credit information …
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 …
CIS Kenya to Revolutionize Credit Data Quality as CBK Approves Game-Changing ValiData Tool
The Credit Information Sharing Association of Kenya (CIS Kenya) has announced that it recently received approval from the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) for its innovative CIS ValiData tool. This cutting-edge data validation and submission solution is set to revolutionize how credit providers share data with licensed Credit Reference Bureaus (CRBs). The CIS ValiData tool is a key component of CIS Kenya’s strategy to foster a transparent and efficient credit market by ensuring the accuracy and reliability of credit information. During the development and pilot phase, the tool has already demonstrated its capacity to significantly reduce errors and improve compliance. …
Charting a Course for a Resilient Kenyan Credit Market: Lessons from the CIS Kenya Credit Market Growth Summit 2025
As we navigate mid-2025, the Kenyan credit market finds itself at a critical juncture, shaped by the significant political realignments of 2024, including the public protests and subsequent government changes and an unsettled global economic landscape. Against this backdrop, The Credit Market Growth & Resilience Summit held on July 24–25, 2025, brought together a diverse group of experts, thought leaders, and industry peers. The mission was clear: to equip participants with the knowledge and tools needed to validate and recalibrate their credit strategies for competitiveness, ultimately charting a course for a more resilient and sustainable market.The summit’s theme, “Empowering the …
Empowering Women Through Financial Inclusion: Building a Sustainable Future
Adah Mukubi, CIS Kenya Mercy Nehema, Creditinfo Kenya Lukania Makunda, FSD Kenya Jackline Ogero, KWFT “The MSME Loan Performance Report 2024 highlights that women entrepreneurs are more likely to face collateral challenges due to lower asset ownership compared to men. This calls for innovative solutions, such as group-based lending models, flexible repayment schedules, and alternative credit scoring mechanisms that consider women’s informal financial activities. By designing products that align with women’s lived experiences, financial institutions can unlock their full economic potential.” Key Insights from the CIS Kenya International Women’s Day Webinar Financial inclusion is a cornerstone of economic growth and social transformation. …
The CIS ValiData
1. CIS ValiData Tool We are thrilled to introduce the CIS ValiData Tool – a solution designed to make credit information sharing faster, more reliable, and easier for financial institutions. If you’re wondering how this tool works and why it’s so important, let us break it down for you. 2. What Is the CIS ValiData Tool? It is a tool that helps credit providers check their credit data for errors before sending it to the credit bureaus. Think of it as a “data proofreader” that ensures everything is accurate and meets the required standards. By catching errors early, the tool …
How Technology is Transforming Credit Information Sharing
The financial ecosystem is the lifeblood of any thriving economy. At its heart lies Credit Information Sharing (CIS), a mechanism whose intention is to foster trust, transparency, and inclusivity between lenders and borrowers. However, in a rapidly evolving digital world, traditional approaches to credit data management are no longer sufficient. Technology has emerged as a game-changer, transforming CIS in ways we once only imagined. At CIS Kenya, we are leveraging technological advancements to redefine how credit information is collected, processed, validated, and shared. This transformation not only enhances efficiency but also builds trust and strengthens the financial ecosystem for all stakeholders. …
Empowering Young Women and Girls through Financial Inclusion
As the world marks the International Day of the Girl Child under the theme “Girls’ Vision for the Future,” we reflect on the dreams, aspirations, and voices of young women in Kenya. This theme conveys not only the urgency of addressing the challenges girls face but also the hope and power of their vision for a more equitable future. Central to this vision is the issue of financial inclusion, which holds immense potential to transform young women’s lives by providing them with access to credit, enabling them to pursue their dreams, and securing their place in the economic landscape. Despite …
The CBK (Digital Credit Providers) Regulations-2022
The Central Bank of Kenya (Digital Credit Providers) Regulations, 2022, were gazetted on March 18, 2022. The Regulations, which are now operational, provide for the licensing and oversight of previously unregulated Digital Credit Providers (DCPs) by CBK. You can access the CBK (Digital Credit Providers) Regulations 2022 here …
CIS ValiData – An Innovative Tool for Efficient Data Validation and Submission of Credit Information to Credit Reference Bureaus
In 2017, the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) constituted a technical working group (TWG) to identify candidate proposals aimed at reforming and streamlining Kenya’s Credit Information Sharing (CIS) mechanism. The objectives of the TWG were to: (i) review and revise the data specification template that is used for the submission of credit information to the three licensed Credit Reference Bureaus (CRBs); (ii) standardise the rules applied by the CRBs when validating the data submitted; (iii) recommend an appropriate model for the validation and submission of credit information; and (iv) harmonise the interpretation of credit scores based on the credit information …
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 …
CIS Kenya to Revolutionize Credit Data Quality as CBK Approves Game-Changing ValiData Tool
The Credit Information Sharing Association of Kenya (CIS Kenya) has announced that it recently received approval from the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) for its innovative CIS ValiData tool. This cutting-edge data validation and submission solution is set to revolutionize how credit providers share data with licensed Credit Reference Bureaus (CRBs). The CIS ValiData tool is a key component of CIS Kenya’s strategy to foster a transparent and efficient credit market by ensuring the accuracy and reliability of credit information. During the development and pilot phase, the tool has already demonstrated its capacity to significantly reduce errors and improve compliance. …
Charting a Course for a Resilient Kenyan Credit Market: Lessons from the CIS Kenya Credit Market Growth Summit 2025
As we navigate mid-2025, the Kenyan credit market finds itself at a critical juncture, shaped by the significant political realignments of 2024, including the public protests and subsequent government changes and an unsettled global economic landscape. Against this backdrop, The Credit Market Growth & Resilience Summit held on July 24–25, 2025, brought together a diverse group of experts, thought leaders, and industry peers. The mission was clear: to equip participants with the knowledge and tools needed to validate and recalibrate their credit strategies for competitiveness, ultimately charting a course for a more resilient and sustainable market.The summit’s theme, “Empowering the …
Empowering Women Through Financial Inclusion: Building a Sustainable Future
Adah Mukubi, CIS Kenya Mercy Nehema, Creditinfo Kenya Lukania Makunda, FSD Kenya Jackline Ogero, KWFT “The MSME Loan Performance Report 2024 highlights that women entrepreneurs are more likely to face collateral challenges due to lower asset ownership compared to men. This calls for innovative solutions, such as group-based lending models, flexible repayment schedules, and alternative credit scoring mechanisms that consider women’s informal financial activities. By designing products that align with women’s lived experiences, financial institutions can unlock their full economic potential.” Key Insights from the CIS Kenya International Women’s Day Webinar Financial inclusion is a cornerstone of economic growth and social transformation. …
The CIS ValiData
1. CIS ValiData Tool We are thrilled to introduce the CIS ValiData Tool – a solution designed to make credit information sharing faster, more reliable, and easier for financial institutions. If you’re wondering how this tool works and why it’s so important, let us break it down for you. 2. What Is the CIS ValiData Tool? It is a tool that helps credit providers check their credit data for errors before sending it to the credit bureaus. Think of it as a “data proofreader” that ensures everything is accurate and meets the required standards. By catching errors early, the tool …
How Technology is Transforming Credit Information Sharing
The financial ecosystem is the lifeblood of any thriving economy. At its heart lies Credit Information Sharing (CIS), a mechanism whose intention is to foster trust, transparency, and inclusivity between lenders and borrowers. However, in a rapidly evolving digital world, traditional approaches to credit data management are no longer sufficient. Technology has emerged as a game-changer, transforming CIS in ways we once only imagined. At CIS Kenya, we are leveraging technological advancements to redefine how credit information is collected, processed, validated, and shared. This transformation not only enhances efficiency but also builds trust and strengthens the financial ecosystem for all stakeholders. …
Empowering Young Women and Girls through Financial Inclusion
As the world marks the International Day of the Girl Child under the theme “Girls’ Vision for the Future,” we reflect on the dreams, aspirations, and voices of young women in Kenya. This theme conveys not only the urgency of addressing the challenges girls face but also the hope and power of their vision for a more equitable future. Central to this vision is the issue of financial inclusion, which holds immense potential to transform young women’s lives by providing them with access to credit, enabling them to pursue their dreams, and securing their place in the economic landscape. Despite …
The CBK (Digital Credit Providers) Regulations-2022
The Central Bank of Kenya (Digital Credit Providers) Regulations, 2022, were gazetted on March 18, 2022. The Regulations, which are now operational, provide for the licensing and oversight of previously unregulated Digital Credit Providers (DCPs) by CBK. You can access the CBK (Digital Credit Providers) Regulations 2022 here …
Press Release
October 2021 Digest – New Dawn for CIS
Following approval of the Code of Conduct by CBK on 18th May 2021, CIS Kenya has prepared a roadmap for on-boarding third-party CIPs into the CIS mechanism in accordance with the Code of Conduct and is in discussions with CBK, all licensed credit bureaus and FSD Kenya to ensure smooth and speedy implementation. Some of the key concerns that will be addressed by the Industry code of conduct include; Data quality. Consumer protection. Customer-centricity . Download the October 2021 Digest here …
June 2020 Digest – Ushering a New Regulatory Regime
The Regulations have made Risk-Based Pricing mandatory for banks and other lenders to use a customer’s credit score when appraising a credit application and in determining the interest rate to charge. CIS Kenya and CARE Risk Solutions, India organised an interactive knowledge session on Internal Credit Rating and Risk Based Pricing on 19th May 2020. Across the world, people are being asked to stay at home and practice social distancing, to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus. We will also feature an article on how on financial institutions can mitigate on NPLs. Download …
A New Era in CIS Digest
In this digest, we feature articles on the CIS Learning Centre, Daily Submission and a summary of Data Specification Template version 4, RegTech-a conversation we will hold at the 5th Regional CIS Conference 2020 and an opinion piece on Google’s advertising policy on short term loans. Read the digest here …
April 2019 Digest
In February 2019, the Government of announced the Launch of ‘Huduma Namba’ a National Integrated Identity Management System. The purpose of the portal is to be a master population register, applicable to all residents of Kenya: foreign and citizens, which enables one to be identified using a single reference number in order to access government services. Its registration was rolled out on a pilot basis in select counties across the nation… Read more …
Remarks by the Chairman of AKCP at AKCP’s 5 year Strategic Plan Launch
REMARKS BY MR. CHARLES RINGERA, CHAIRMAN OF THE ASSOCIATION OF KENYA CREDIT PROVIDERS (AKCP) AT THE LAUNCH OF AKCP’S 5-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN ON 27TH OCTOBER 2014 AKCP Strategic Plan launch – Chairman’s Speech- Charles Ringera.pdf …
CBK Governor Speech at AKCP 5 Year Strategic Plan Launch
Remarks by Prof. Njunguna Ndung’u The Governor Central Bank of Kenya at AKCP 5 Year Strategic Plan Launch CBK Governor Speech – Launch of AKCP Strategic Plan-27th October 2014.pdf …