Creditinfo launches new platform to boost African businesses’ access to credit and global opportunities
Creditinfo’s Business Information Platform Africa aims to strengthen local economies and foster global partnerships
London – 14 May 2025 – Creditinfo has today announced the launch of Business Information Platform Africa (BI Africa) to help African businesses and financial services access trade credit more easily and build stronger relationships with global partners. The platform will be rolled out in Kenya in June, with more markets to follow.
The move builds on Creditinfo’s success in the Baltics, where its business information tools have helped companies navigate partnerships and manage risk for over a decade. Now, that same model is being brought to Africa – starting with Kenya – where access to verified, independent business data has often been a challenge.
‘This launch isn’t just about data. It’s about unlocking opportunity,’ said Satrajit Saha, CEO at Creditinfo. ‘When businesses have the right information at their fingertips, they can make smarter, faster decisions that drive growth, close more deals and build lasting confidence – both locally and globally.’
The BI Africa platform offers reports on over one million African companies, presented in a simple, globally standardised format. Users can check key facts about potential partners or customers, everything from credit health to company history, making it easier to assess risk and build trust. Additionally, as an added service, Kenyan businesses will have access to company reports on over 430 million international companies – empowering them to confidently verify both new and existing clients through Creditinfo and its network of global partners.
‘We want to make it easier for African businesses to prove their value, compete globally, and grow with confidence,’ added Saha. ‘Greater transparency leads to stronger trust and improved access to finance – benefits that extend across economies and communities. And that’s a win for everyone.’
It also includes a Manual Investigation Service for those who need deeper insight. Users can request tailored research into specific companies, providing information that goes beyond the numbers, like ownership structures, litigation history, or up-to-date financials. Crucially, the platform isn’t just for large institutions. It’s been designed to support SMEs and individual entrepreneurs, too – those who often struggle the most with gaining access to trade credit.
‘By bridging critical trust and information gaps, our robust platform will redefine what is possible for businesses, of all sizes, in Kenya and beyond. What once took three to five working days to verify a potential business partner can now happen in seconds, without compromising on regulatory compliance. That’s a game-changer for companies, particularly in the SME sector, who need to make quick decisions in competitive markets,’ said Kamau Kunyiha, Regional CEO East and Southern Africa at Creditinfo.
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About Creditinfo
Established in 1997 and headquartered in London, UK, Creditinfo is a provider of credit information and risk management solutions worldwide. As one of the fastest-growing companies in its field, Creditinfo facilitates access to finance, through intelligent information, software and decision analytics solutions.
With more than 30 credit bureaus running today, Creditinfo has the most considerable global presence in this field of credit risk management, with a significantly greater footprint than competitors. For decades it has provided business information, risk management and credit bureau solutions to some of the largest, lenders, governments and central banks globally to increase financial inclusion and generate economic growth by allowing credit access for SMEs and individuals.
For more information, please visit www.creditinfo.com
The Importance of Trust in Digital Interactions: The Cornerstone of a Digital Economy
There’s a diversity in maturity in digitization across the globe – from markets that are almost universally digital, through markets with developing digital economies, to markets with embryonic digital ecosystems. Mature economies typically have more mature controls but remain attractive to fraudsters because of the scale of opportunity – emerging digital economies typically have less robust ecosystems and are attractive because of the inherent vulnerabilities in the controls – with a promise for future growth.
The anonymity and distance that digital platforms afford make it easier for fraudsters to operate undetected.
For bad actors, the business model is scalable – in a digital economy the unique skills of Frank Abagnale Jr (of “Catch Me If You Can” fame) become redundant. The ready availability of personal data through vast data breaches and social engineering, and online access to digital channels present an attractive proposition for the enterprising fraudster.
In fact, cybercrime has risen dramatically alongside digital transformation, with fraud rates increasing globally – and we’re increasingly seeing collaboration between cybercrime, fraud, organised crime and money laundering. Organizations face mounting challenges in protecting their digital infrastructure and customers from fraudulent activities. From identity theft to financial scams, fraudsters are leveraging a wide array of tactics to deceive individuals and organizations.
The digital economy’s vulnerability to fraud presents significant risks, not only for organizations, but also for consumers. When fraud occurs, it undermines the trust that is essential to the functioning of the digital economy. If consumers and businesses cannot trust the digital services they engage with, it will slow adoption, hinder growth, and damage reputations. Therefore, mitigating fraud risk is not just about protecting individual interactions – it’s about maintaining the integrity of the entire digital ecosystem.
The importance of trust in digital interactions cannot be overstated. From e-commerce to financial services and beyond, trust is the foundation upon which all successful digital interactions are built. At the core of this trust is the concept of identity verification. In a world where interactions are increasingly conducted online, it’s critical to ensure the presented identity is a real-world identity, not synthetic – and that the individual presenting the identity is the owner of that identity.
The need to assert identity in digital engagements goes beyond basic security – it forms the bedrock of confidence that drives the entire online ecosystem. Whether consumers are signing up for a new banking service, purchasing products, or enrolling in educational courses, verifying the authenticity of their identity is paramount. Identity verification serves not only to protect individuals but also to secure businesses from fraudulent activities, which, in turn, strengthens the broader digital economy.
The Role of Identity Verification in Mitigating Fraud Risk
At the heart of reducing fraud risk lies robust identity verification. This process ensures that the individual engaging with a digital platform is who they claim to be. It is a crucial step that lays the groundwork for every subsequent transaction, providing a layer of protection for both consumers and businesses. Without reliable identity verification, any digital interaction is susceptible to being manipulated by malicious actors.
Identity verification can be achieved through a variety of techniques, including biometric verification, document verification, and multi-factor authentication. These methods allow businesses to verify that a person is genuine, providing them with the confidence to proceed with transactions. This, in turn, enables a safer and more reliable digital environment for everyone involved.
However, while basic identity verification is a critical first step, it is only part of the solution.
The Power of Layering Fraud Defences
In a digital economy, an identity is far more than a name, address, date of birth and national id number.
From basic digital identity attributes such as mobile numbers, email addresses and IP addresses, through payment attributes such as bank details and credit card numbers, through connected messaging apps and service accounts, through device attributes such as screen size, make, model, time zone, location, installed apps, through biometric attributes such as facial patterns, to behavioural attributes such as physical device interactions. A digital identity is an extensive and interconnected web of many attributes.
The real strength in mitigating fraud risk lies in combining multiple layers of defence – a multifaceted approach that examines not only the traditional identity attributes, but the wider digital footprint and the connections between attributes across the identity graph. Consistency and conformity to normalised patterns help establish greater trust – inconsistency and anomalous patterns indicate greater risk. Machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques are increasingly used to examine attribute patterns – generating increasingly performant models.
The power of a layered approach lies in managing the balance between making life difficult for bad actors and removing friction in genuine interactions. In a digital economy consumers become increasingly intolerant of any friction in their interactions with organisations. Where consumers encounter even minor friction, they will abandon the sales process and look for alternative providers – in a competitive market, the winners will be the businesses who deliver the easiest way to interact – but without appropriate fraud defences, success will be short lived.
More accurate multifaceted risk assessments can be implemented based lighter data capture, drawing insights from a broad range of sources, reducing CX friction and abandonment, readily securing greater trust, more accurately exposing risk.
Summary
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, organizations must prioritize trust as the cornerstone of their interactions with consumers. Robust identity verification and a layered approach to fraud prevention are not just best practices – they are essential for maintaining the integrity of the digital economy. By effectively combining multiple layers of defence, businesses can balance security with convenience, reducing fraud risk without sacrificing customer experience. In the end, fostering trust in digital engagements is the key to enabling sustained growth and success in an increasingly complex and competitive online ecosystem.
For more information, please visit: www.creditinfo.com
or email info@creditinfo.com
Author : Robert Meakin – Director, Fraud & ID, Creditinfo Group
Creditinfo Launches New Global Fraud & ID Solution
Creditinfo’s new solution supports clients in mitigating the impact of fraud and supporting organisational growth.
London – 27th March 2025: Creditinfo, a global service provider for credit information and risk management solutions, has today announced the launch of its global identity, know your customer (KYC), and fraud and ID solution, set to help organisations tackle financial crime.
The overall global economic impact of financial crime has been estimated to be $5 trillion. What’s more, according to the 2024 Nasdaq global financial crime report, fraud losses totalled $485.6 billion worldwide, from fraud scams and bank fraud schemes alone. As such, organisations face a series of challenges, from eroding profit margins to reputational risks to data breaches. Creditinfo’s solution helps organisations to address these challenges by using credit bureau data, government information services, and other registries to establish trust in presented identities, without negatively impacting the customer experience.
The solution integrates identity proofing, digital risk signals and comprehensive international and domestic watchlists to deliver strong KYC compliance and reduce the risk of fraudulent activity. It also enables businesses to streamline risk management and ensures they meet stringent customer due diligence requirements under anti-money laundering (AML) regulations.
As a global solution, it is tailored to meet the unique needs and maturity-levels of different markets. By accounting for these differences, organisations that use the solution can adapt their fraud prevention strategies to specific local risks, strengthening security and promoting financial inclusion.
Creditinfo has appointed Rob Meakin as Director of Fraud & Identity to head up this service. He brings extensive experience in fraud prevention, identity management, and financial services. Meakin will lead efforts to help organisations counter fraud – leveraging advanced technologies and data analytics to enhance the customer experience and strengthen fraud and AML controls.
Rob Meakin, Director of Fraud and Identity at Creditinfo, said: “The growing presence of organised financial crime is significantly hindering economic growth on both a local and global scale, costing businesses huge sums of money each year – in fraud losses, lost sales and operational costs. That’s why, at Creditinfo, we’re pioneering a solution that provides a way for organisations to manage risk and maintain compliance while facilitating secure and easy access to financial products and services for consumers.”
John Cannon, Chief Commercial Officer at Creditinfo said: “By removing friction from both traditional and digital onboarding and origination processes, our solution helps organisations reduce fraud, improve conversion rates, and drive top-line growth while ensuring a seamless customer journey. As we strive to expand our global reach and enhance financial access for millions of consumers and businesses worldwide, having Rob join our team is an invaluable advantage, strengthening both our security capabilities and our ability to deliver innovative solutions.”
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About Creditinfo
Established in 1997 and headquartered in London, UK, Creditinfo is a provider of credit information and risk management solutions worldwide. As one of the fastest-growing companies in its field, Creditinfo facilitates access to finance, through intelligent information, software and decision analytics solutions.
With more than 30 credit bureaus running today, Creditinfo has the most considerable global presence in this field of credit risk management, with a significantly greater footprint than competitors. For decades it has provided business information, risk management and credit bureau solutions to some of the largest, lenders, governments and central banks globally to increase financial inclusion and generate economic growth by allowing credit access for SMEs and individuals.
For more information, please visit www.creditinfo.com
For inquiries email rob.meakin@creditinfo.com
Download Brochure HereCreditinfo Lithuania Analysis: In 2024, An Average of Three Companies Filed For Bankruptcy Daily
According to Creditinfo Lithuania’s analysis, 1,079 company bankruptcies were registered in Lithuania in 2024—a 16.1% increase compared to 929 cases in 2023. However, this figure is slightly lower than in 2022 when 1,087 bankruptcies were recorded (a 0.7% decrease).
Key Sectors Affected: Construction, Trade, Transport, and Manufacturing
Construction Sector Challenges
The construction sector faced the highest number of bankruptcies in 2024, with 243 cases, marking a 16.8% increase from 208 cases in 2023. However, this was a slight 2.5% decrease compared to 2022 (237 bankruptcies). Currently, 11,299 companies operate in the construction sector in Lithuania.
Dovilė Krikščiukaitė, Head of Legal at Creditinfo Lithuania, noted that the sector struggled with insufficient demand, particularly in real estate. However, engineering construction projects increased by 10.3%, and many companies remain optimistic, planning to hire more employees and anticipating growth.
Despite these challenges, economic analyst Aleksandras Izgorodinas from Citadele Bank projects fewer bankruptcies in 2025 due to declining interest rates in the eurozone. Improved real estate transactions and mortgage volumes are already evident, which could stabilize the construction sector further.
“However, I believe that in 2025, the number of bankruptcies in the construction sector will decline. With falling base interest rates in the eurozone, we are already observing a recovery in real estate transactions and mortgage volumes. Buyers are returning to the real estate market, and the cost of borrowing continues to decrease. This will lead to fewer bankruptcies in the construction sector in 2025. It is projected that the ECB will lower interest rates at least three more times this year, further supporting recovery in Lithuania’s construction and real estate sectors and reducing bankruptcy numbers,” said A. Izgorodinas.
Wholesale and Retail Trade
The wholesale and retail trade sector had the second-highest number of bankruptcies, with 237 cases, a 3.9% increase from 2023 (228 bankruptcies). However, this figure was lower than in 2022 (251 cases). With 23,601 companies, this sector remains the largest in Lithuania.
“Companies in this sector faced fluctuating demand, but recovering domestic consumption and increasing real wages resulted in higher revenues compared to the previous year,” explained D. Krikščiukaitė.
Transport Sector Under Pressure
The transport and logistics sector, comprising 8,684 companies, saw 134 bankruptcies—a dramatic 74% increase from 77 in 2023 and a 35.4% rise compared to 99 cases in 2022.
“Unlike the construction sector, where we see the first signs of recovery, the transport sector is yet to show improvement. For instance, Germany’s truck mileage index, which strongly correlates with Lithuania’s transport services export indicators, fell to its lowest level since the end of 2020 by the end of 2025, being 2% lower than at the end of 2024. This indicates that the transport sector will likely remain under pressure in the near future. The sector is highly sensitive to fuel price fluctuations and supply chain disruptions, which often create difficulties for smaller companies,” commented Citadele Bank’s economist.
Manufacturing Sector Struggles
The manufacturing sector, with 8,440 companies, recorded 121 bankruptcies in 2024—a 31.5% increase from 92 in 2023 and a nearly 25% rise compared to 97 in 2022.
According to Creditinfo Lithuania’s head of legal, reduced demand in European export markets, rising raw material costs, and higher energy expenses led to financial difficulties for many manufacturing companies.
Positive Developments in the Accommodation, Food Services, and Real Estate Sectors
Despite the rise in bankruptcies in the sectors, certain industries exhibited positive trends. In 2024, the number of bankruptcies in the accommodation and food services sector dropped by 20% to 66 cases compared to 82 cases in 2023. Moreover, this figure represents a 52% reduction compared to 2022, which saw 137 bankruptcies. Currently, 3,837 companies operate in this sector in Lithuania.
Similarly, the real estate (RE) operations sector, encompassing 6,621 companies, also demonstrated improvement. Bankruptcies in this sector decreased by 22.7% in 2024, from 44 cases in 2023 to 34 cases. In 2022, 33 insolvency cases were recorded in this sector.
Analysis of insolvent companies revealed that the total turnover of bankrupt companies in 2023 was €194.28 million, with the average annual turnover per company standing at €848,000. Notably, the workforce within these companies experienced a significant decline. At the beginning of 2023, these firms employed 7,292 workers; by October, this number had fallen to 5,551 employees.
“Monitoring the key operational metrics of business partners can help identify early warning signs. A decrease in workforce, reduction in the transport fleet, changes in management or shareholders, relocation of headquarters, or declining turnover are indicators that warrant close attention to ensure reliable partnerships and the fulfillment of financial commitments,” stated Dovilė Krikščiukaitė, Head of the Legal Department at Creditinfo Lietuva.
The head of Creditinfo Lietuva’s Legal Department also observed a trend toward younger companies becoming insolvent. In 2024, the average age of bankrupt companies was 10.58 years, compared to 11.68 years in 2023 and 12.31 years in 2022.
“This shift indicates that an increasing number of young companies are struggling to overcome market challenges and adapt to changing economic conditions. Young businesses often face financial management deficiencies, high costs, and intense competition, which exacerbate their difficulties,” added the Creditinfo Lietuva representative.
Lithuanian Paper Industry: Revenue Growth, Debt Increase & Decreasing Risk
Challenges from a Few Companies Distort the Overall Picture
An analysis by Creditinfo Lietuva reveals a controversial situation in Lithuania’s paper manufacturing sector. While the number of companies has decreased in recent years, the number of employees has grown. In 2023, sector revenues reached €829 million—a 51% increase compared to the beginning of 2021. However, there are worrying signs: the sector’s debt portfolio has grown nearly fivefold over four years. This negative trend is primarily driven by the difficulties of a few companies, while the sector itself demonstrates resilience. No bankruptcies have been recorded in the past three years, and the risk levels are nearly twice as low as the national business risk average.
Current State of the Sector
According to Creditinfo Lietuva, there are currently 176 companies operating in the Lithuanian paper manufacturing sector, employing 5,462 people. While the number of companies has gradually decreased from 191 in 2021 to 176 in November 2024, employee numbers have grown steadily, from 5,022 in January 2021 to 5,462 in November 2024.
Economic Indicators: Positive and Negative Trends In 2023, total sector revenues reached €829 million—4.6% less than at the start of the year (€869 million), but 21% higher than in 2022 (€684.6 million) and 51% higher than in 2021 (€548 million). Over a four-year period, average annual revenues per company increased from €4.2 million to €6.1 million.
The paper manufacturing sector includes companies producing pulp, paper, and cardboard, as well as corrugated paper and cardboard packaging, hygiene and household products, stationery, copy paper, envelopes, wallpapers, and other specialized products.
Debt Portfolio Increased
Fivefold At first glance, the sector has seen a significant increase in overdue financial obligations. Between 2021 and the end of 2024, the debt portfolio grew nearly fivefold, from €157.7K to €776.6K, while the number of debts increased only slightly, from 87 to 89 cases.
“A deeper analysis shows that the overall figures are skewed by issues faced by a few companies—one undergoing restructuring and another involved in legal proceedings. Excluding these, the sector remains stable, with the average debt amount per case decreasing from €2,999 in early 2024 to €2,803,” says Dovilė Krikščiukaitė, Head of Legal at Creditinfo Lietuva.
Bankruptcy Trends
From 2003 to the end of 2024, the paper manufacturing sector recorded 30 bankruptcies. However, insolvency cases have varied across periods. For instance, no bankruptcies occurred between 2022 and 2024 or from 2014 to 2015, while 2009–2010 saw 5 and 4 bankruptcies, respectively.
Risk Levels: Lower Than Other Sectors
Analyzing risk trends between 2022 and 2024, the paper manufacturing sector shows positive stabilization. Currently, 8% of companies are classified as high-risk for late
payments, and 5% are at high risk of bankruptcy. This means over 90% of companies are considered low- or medium-risk. In comparison, the national average bankruptcy risk is 9%, with 16% of companies at risk of payment delays.
“Aside from a few exceptions, Lithuanian paper manufacturers are relatively low risk. Compared to other sectors, this positions them as a stable part of the economy,” adds Krikščiukaitė.
Top Companies by Revenue and Employment
The top 10 Lithuanian paper manufacturers by revenue in 2023 are:
1. Nemuno banga (€178.2M)
2. Aurika (€70.3M)
3. DS Smith Packaging Lithuania (€59.4M)
4. Grigeo Klaipėda (€45.8M)
5. Grigeo Packaging (€36.4M)
6. Rietuva (€32.99M)
7. Pakmarkas (€27.1M)
8. Bigso (€24.9M)
9. Miko ir Tado leidykla (€24.3M)
10. Klaipėdos kartono tara (€23.8M)
Top employers in the sector include:
1. Nemuno banga (580 employees)
2. Aurika (481 employees)
3. Bigso (324 employees)
4. Grigeo Tissue (244 employees)
5. DS Smith Packaging Lithuania (214 employees)
Can Expanding the Role of CRBs Through Trade Data Sharing Enhance Business Credit and Improve Cash Flow Management?
There is a growing need to expand the information shared with Credit Reference Bureaus ( CRBs) to include trade data. Many manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers have reported cash flow challenges due to difficulties in recovering debts from their customers. This often results in their ability to restock or pay suppliers, further straining their operations. In Kenya, trade agreements frequently rely on informal arrangements, with limited legal recourse due to delays in the judicial systems. Could CRBs play a more significant role in addressing these issues?
As businesses increasingly rely on data to drive decision-making, it’s evident that CRBs, which currently hold financial data related primarily to bank and mobile loans, could greatly enhance their scope. While the inclusion of traditional credit data has boosted financial inclusion, expanding this to cover trade credit information especially from manufacturers, service providers, and wholesalers could revolutionise how businesses extend and manage credit.
If this trade data were collected and shared under a regulatory framework, it could enhance credit trading, improve business relationships, and further financial inclusion. Regular purchasing and payment data, when synthesized, could help businesses evaluate potential customers, set credit limits, and make informed decisions beyond traditional borrowing data.
Accounts receivable teams often struggle to recover overdue debts from customers extended credit without proper risk assessment. Introducing legislation to compel specific entities to share trade data based on factors like turnover or invoice value could help manage risk, reduce legal disputes, and cut down on costs associated with unpaid receivables.
Moreover, the Kenya Revenue Authority could benefit from improved tax collection, as greater financial discipline would be encouraged to avoid negative CRB listings, which can impact a company’s ability to do business. This would also help reduce the burden on the Judiciary, where countless civil cases related to unpaid debts remain unresolved, leading to significant business losses.
Properly managing and sharing trade credit information could streamline the business environment, improving cash flow and financial planning. Additionally, incorporating trade credit data into CRB decision making tools could help boost an individual’s or entity’s creditworthiness when seeking traditional loans. On an individual level, high value asset purchase, such as land and vehicles, could also be evaluated using shared credit sales and receipts data, providing both buyers and sellers with insights into the financial reliability of potential customers.
In conclusion, expanding the data shared with CRBs could significantly improve risk management, debtor control, and financial stability, creating a more transparent and efficient trading environment for businesses of all sizes.
By Francis Shikuku
Accounts Assistant, Creditinfo Kenya
Creditinfo appoints Charles De Winnaar as Global Head of Sales Strategy and Sales Operations
Former Marsh Africa Sales Leader – Charles De Winnaar – brings a wealth of sales and leadership experience to drive Creditinfo’s international growth
London – 26th September 2024: Creditinfo, a global service provider for credit information and risk management solutions, announces the appointment of Charles De Winnaar as its Global Head of Sales Strategy and Sales Operations. As an experienced sales leader in financial services, Charles will lead Creditinfo’s global sales strategy and operations across its network of 30 credit bureaus. He joins the company from Marsh Africa, where he held the position of Sales & Distribution Leader.
In his role, Charles will be responsible for Creditinfo’s revenue growth, market expansion, and operational excellence to ensure scalability and enhance the customer experience across its different markets. From developing strategic partnerships to driving innovation in sales processes and technologies, he’ll play a key part in the next phase of Creditinfo’s international growth.
With over two decades of experience in sales and finance, Charles has a deep understanding of global financial markets and an impressive history of leading large-scale sales teams, bolstering business growth, implementing customer-centric solutions and transforming sales operations.
As Sales Leader at Marsh Africa, he executed the revenue and portfolio optimisation strategy across multiple Africa regions. Prior to joining Marsh Africa, he held various sales leadership roles at the National Bank of Kuwait and Barclay’s Bank Africa. During his time at Barclays, he led the development and launch of a first-to-market mobile payment wallet lending solution in Africa.
Charles De Winnaar, newly appointed Global Head of Sales Strategy and Sales Operations at Creditinfo said: “I’m delighted to join Creditinfo, a company that is committed to empowering people and businesses through financial inclusion. I look forward to working with the talented global team and contributing to Creditinfo’s long-term success.”
Satrajit Saha, Global CEO at Creditinfo said: “With his unmatched expertise in global markets and a proven track record of building strategic partnerships across different regions, Charles is a valuable addition to our leadership team. As we look to accelerate market expansion, harness digital transformation in our global strategy, and continue to facilitate access to finance for millions of individuals and businesses worldwide, Charles will be instrumental in helping us to achieve these goals.”
Charles will report directly to Satrajit Saha, Creditinfo’s Global CEO.
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About Creditinfo
Established in 1997 and headquartered in London, UK, Creditinfo is a provider of credit information and risk management solutions worldwide. As one of the fastest-growing companies in its field, Creditinfo facilitates access to finance, through intelligent information, software and decision analytics solutions.
With more than 30 credit bureaus running today, Creditinfo has the most considerable global presence in this field of credit risk management, with a significantly greater footprint than competitors. For decades it has provided business information, risk management and credit bureau solutions to some of the largest, lenders, governments and central banks globally to increase financial inclusion and generate economic growth by allowing credit access for SMEs and individuals.
For more information, please visit www.creditinfo.com
Central Bank of Seychelles awards Creditinfo contract to Develop and Implement a new Credit Information System (SCIS)
PRESS RELEASE
Victoria– September 11, 2024 – The Central Bank of Seychelles (CBS) has today launched the Seychelles Credit Information System (SCIS) in accordance with the Credit Reporting Act, 2023, to improve credit information sharing across the financial system.
The SCIS will be administered by CBS, which will be responsible for overall supervision of the operation of the system, as well as providing awareness on the system and its governing law. The contract to develop and implement the SCIS was awarded to Creditinfo CEE a.s., a company based in the Czech Republic, through an open bidding method as per the CBS procurement process in April 2021.
The SCIS – which replaces the previous Credit Information System established under the Credit Reporting Regulations 2012 – is an improved credit information system which will enhance credit reporting and data exchange between participating institutions. It incorporates automated features requiring minimal manual processing, hence mitigating potential risks of inaccuracies in the credit information of customers.
The current participants of the SCIS include the commercial banks, Seychelles Credit Union, Development Bank of Seychelles and the Housing Finance Company (HFC). The SCIS will continue to expand with the addition of other participants through a phased approach, to include Government entities, utility companies, hire purchase and credit sales, financial leasing companies, and insurance companies. The addition of these other entities – that are also engaged in activities that provide for payment arrangements – will give a more accurate indication of the repayment history and level of indebtedness of customers, information which is essential in the decision-making process for granting credit and loan facilities.
To note that only participating institutions can access the credit information of an individual, at the consent of the individual, in compliance with the Credit Reporting Act, 2023. Individuals holding accounts with these institutions will also be able to access their own credit report through the Customer Credit Portal, which is expected to be launched in the first quarter of 2025.
To watch a news clip of the event, click here.
Visit our websites for more information
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Experian MicroAnalytics and Creditinfo unite to launch groundbreaking new fintech solutions
NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 12, 2024 – Experian MicroAnalytics, a global leader in mobile financial services, and Creditinfo Group, a leading global service provider for credit information and risk management solutions, have partnered to combine Experian MicroAnalytics’ mobile financial services platform with Creditinfo’s scoring models and local market expertise, providing innovative new solutions that facilitate access to finance for individuals and businesses across Africa.
Experian MicroAnalytics, renowned for its risk management solutions utilized by major telcos worldwide, brings its expertise in mobile financial services to the partnership. Their solutions, such as mobile money loans, advanced analytics and machine learning, help to support underserved populations who don’t have access to traditional banking services. Experian’s technology not only facilitates seamless financial transactions but also generates additional revenue streams for telecommunications operators and banks, if present as fund providers.
“Experian is dedicated to driving financial inclusion globally, and our partnership with Creditinfo strengthens our ability to deliver impactful solutions,” said Sammy Hamoudi, General Manager of Experian MicroAnalytics. “Together, we aim to empower telecommunications operators and fintechs to extend their services to previously underserved populations.”
Creditinfo provides comprehensive credit bureau solutions to enable informed decision-making in the financial sector. With this partnership, Creditinfo will further establish itself as the leading credit bureau provider in Africa, enhancing its business risk assessment capabilities and customer insights.
“At Creditinfo, we recognize the transformative power of data-driven solutions in fostering financial inclusion,” stated Kamau Kunyiha, Regional Manager, East and Southern Africa at Creditinfo. “Our collaboration with Experian will help individuals and businesses across Africa gain access to finance, underscoring our shared vision to drive positive change and improve the standards of credit assessment.”
As joint Gold Sponsors of Africa Fintech Festival 2024, Experian MicroAnalytics and Creditinfo showcased their partnership at the event held in Kenya in early June. The festival provided an ideal platform for them to demonstrate their collaborative efforts. Through fireside chats and conference discussions, participants were able to explore opportunities to enhance financial inclusion in Africa through future collaboration.
About Experian MicroAnalytics
Experian MicroAnalytics is a global leader in mobile financial services, providing risk management and marketing solutions to telecom operators and fintechs around the world. Our AI cloud platform increases consumer engagement, reduces churn, manages lending exposure and optimises conversion rates.
With over $4.5 billion in loans already provided by Experian MicroAnalytics, we deliver personalized financial experiences to consumers, empowering financial inclusion while minimizing bad debt.
For more information, please visit www.e-microanalytics.com
About Creditinfo
Established in 1997 and headquartered in London, UK, Creditinfo is a provider of credit information and risk management solutions worldwide. As one of the fastest-growing companies in its field, Creditinfo facilitates access to finance, through intelligent information, software and decision analytics solutions.
With more than 30 credit bureaus running today, Creditinfo has the most considerable global presence in the field of credit risk management. For decades it has provided business information, risk management and credit bureau solutions to some of the largest, lenders, governments and central banks globally to increase financial inclusion and generate economic growth by allowing credit access for SMEs and individuals.
For more information, please visit www.creditinfo.com
Creditinfo, FSD Kenya, and CIS Kenya Launch the Findings of a Study on Kenya’s Credit Market Landscape
Press release
Nairobi, Kenya – Monday, 5th August, 2024 – A new study has revealed a complex picture of Kenya’s credit market, with digital loans dominating the landscape while the overall value of loans disbursed is on the decline. The study conducted by Financial Sector Deepening (FSD) Kenya, Credit Information Sharing Association of Kenya (CIS Kenya), and Creditinfo Credit Reference Bureau Kenya Limited (Creditinfo CRB), provides a comprehensive analysis of credit data spanning five years.
The study is titled Kenya’s credit market landscape – Demand side analysis of credit records held by Creditinfo CRB, is based on an analysis of credit records held by Creditinfo CRB.
The use of Credit Reference Bureau data in this study provides an opportunity to analyse credit data that is aggregated from various sources and segmented according to borrower’s sex, type of loan (digital and non-digital), type of borrower (company and individual), and provider type (bank, MFB, and MFI). The data covers the 5-year period from January 2019 to December 2023.
Summary findings
- Kenya’s credit market is dominated by digital loans (in volume terms) provided by banks mostly to male Banks continue to dominate the retail lending market, accounting for over 90% of the volume and value of digital and non-digital loans.
- The number of unique borrowers has been on a steady increase on an annual basis, with
7.5 million unique borrowers in 2019 compared to 11.4 million unique borrowers in 2023. This constitutes both individual and non-individual borrowers (companies). On average, there are 6m unique male borrowers and 4.3m female borrowers each year.
- In contrast to the increase of unique borrowers, the aggregate value of loans disbursed annually has been on a decline, with KShs 2,067bn issued in 2019 compared to KShs 1,937bn in Male borrowers accounted for 61.4% of the total number of loans and 71.1% of the total value of loans issued between 2019 to 2023.
- On average, there are 10 million unique borrowers who have at least one digital loan annually compared to 1 million for non-digital loans. Approximately 270 million new digital loans valued at KShs 1,512 billion were issued over the five-year period compared to 8 million non-digital loans valued at KShs 8,282 billion over the same period. There is, however, an observed decline in the average value of nondigital loans, from an average of KShs 8,353 in 2019 to an average of KShs 4,555 in 2023, a 45% decline.
- The number of new negative listings declined by more than half between 2019 and 2023. Whilst this can be attributed to changes in the regulatory framework on the treatment of negative listings, there is a marked decline between 2019 and 2020 which was beforethe regulatory changes. In 2023, 933,551 individual borrowers were negatively listed with Creditinfo CRB compared to 2,204,591 individuals in 2019.
- Female borrowers have better repayment histories compared to men, accounting for an approximately of 36% of the new negative listings over five-year period, compared to 64% for
- Most borrowers who have a negative record have an outstanding loan balance of between KShs 1,001 to KShs 5,000. The data further indicates that a higher proportion of borrowers initially listed as having repayment difficulties with their loans (negative record) managed to fully repay them off after seven months and within one
- 69% of borrowers that previously had a negative record were subsequently issued with a new This is contrary to the public’s perception that the CIS mechanism is a blacklisting tool and that a negative listing automatically precludes a borrower from accessing future loans.
“The development of Kenya’s credit market is at the core of FSD Kenya’s work and strategy. While many of the building blocks that underpin an efficient and effective retail market are in place, available evidence points that the provision of appropriate and affordable credit remains a challenge. MSMEs and women continue to be underserved. FSD Kenya’s work in credit market is aimed at working with various partners to address the factors that constrain the flow of productive credit to where it is needed the most. Part of this includes creating the knowledge and evidence base through research and analysis to inform the direction of market development and policy interventions. This study is part of those efforts. The expectation is that the study will provide the basis for engagement with various stakeholders on the development of Kenya’s credit market, long-term policy implications, and the functioning of Kenya’s Credit Information Sharing mechanism.”, said Francis Gwer, FSD Kenya’s Senior policy specialist.
“The Credit Information Sharing (CIS) mechanism has significantly advanced since its inception in Kenya. The transition from negative-only reporting to the bureau to comprehensive full-file reporting to the bureau marked a pivotal moment, fostering innovation and financial inclusion. Data gathered throughout this evolution has proven invaluable for market growth and innovation. Further advancements, such as incorporating all credit sectors and enabling real- time reporting, have the potential to elevate the CIS mechanism to new heights.”, said Kamau Kunyiha, Regional Manager, Creditinfo CRB
About FSD Kenya
Financial Sector Deepening Kenya (FSD Kenya) is an independent trust dedicated to the achievement of a financial system that delivers value for a green and inclusive digital economy while improving financial health and capability for women and micro and small enterprises (MSEs). We work closely with the public sector, the financial services industry, and other partners to develop financial solutions that better address the real-world challenges that low-income households, micro and small enterprises, and underserved groups such as women and youth face. More details about FSD Kenya.
About CIS Kenya
The Credit Information Sharing Association of Kenya (CIS Kenya) was set up to institutionalize the National Credit Information Sharing (CIS) Forum. The Forum was created in early 2012 in order to bring together both bank and non-bank credit providers to map the way forward towards implementing full file comprehensive CIS in Kenya. Prior to the formation of CIS Kenya, the implementation of CIS in Kenya was spearheaded by the Kenya Credit Information Sharing Initiative (KCISI), a partnership between Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) and Kenya Bankers Association (KBA). More details about CIS Kenya.
About Creditinfo
Established in 1997 and headquartered in London, UK, Creditinfo is a provider of credit information and risk management solutions worldwide. As one of the fastest-growing companies in its field, Creditinfo facilitates access to finance, through intelligent information, software and decision analytics solutions.
With more than 30 credit bureaus running today, Creditinfo has the most considerable global presence in this field of credit risk management, with a significantly greater footprint than competitors. For decades it has provided business information, risk management and credit bureau solutions to some of the largest, lenders, governments and central banks globally to increase financial inclusion and generate economic growth by allowing credit access for SMEs and individuals. More details about Creditinfo CRB.
