Publications

November 2019
Digital credit audit report: Evaluating the conduct and practice of digital lending in Kenya
Digital credit has been instrumental in granting formal credit in ways that were not conceivable a decade ago. It has provided individuals with the tools to manage their day-to-day needs and working capital for small enterprises. Survey data reveals that over six million Kenyans have borrowed at least one digital loan. Beyond these daily use-cases, […]
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October 2018
Digital credit in Kenya: evidence from demand-side surveys
The pricing, marketing and potential misuse of digital loans coupled with the extensive negative reporting of borrowers who have failed to repay these relatively small loans has raised a growing chorus of concern about their design and the adverse impacts they have on borrowers and the financial system more broadly.
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August 2018
Tech-enabled lending in Africa
A presentation and panel discussion by FSD Kenya on Tech-enabled lending in Africa.
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June 2018
Emerging data sharing models to promote financial service innovation: global trends and their implications for emerging markets
Whether it's government records, bank account data, or web browser activity, providing consumers with the ability to access and share their digital identity and records could increase competition and innovation by letting financial service providers better target and price products to consumers.
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March 2018
The digital credit revolution in Kenya: an assessment of market demand, 5 years on
Digital credit has become a leading source of credit in Kenya. Who is using digital credit and what impact is it having on low-income customers?
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October 2016
Towards positive selection in the Kenyan credit market
An assessment of the effectiveness of credit information sharing in the Kenyan market
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February 2017
Kay gets perspective on informal sector in Kibera
During his visit for the FSD Kenya 3rd annual lecture, John Kay visited Haki Group, a Self Help Group registered in 2002 but graduated to a Community Based Organization in 2005 to mitigate the effects of HIV/AIDS in Kibera. Haki promotes savings groups as part of its economic empowerment program. It currently has 35 savings […]
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February 2017

September 2016
Living on the cusp
23% of sub-Saharan Africans are living in “cusper” households that get by on $2-$5 per person per day. This map shows their total percentage per country (relative to the overall country population) and size in millions
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September 2016
Credit on the cusp: Strengthening credit markets for upward mobility in Africa
Why donors and policymakers need to act before an entire generation of cuspers fail to rise.