Nairobi, March 11 -- The number of firms allowed to offer digital credit services to Kenyans has risen to 51 after the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) licenced 19 more firms, intensifying competition in the lucrative industry.

A CBK statement Wednesday said the new licensees have been registered in collaboration with other regulatory authorities, including the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, to ensure compliance with new rules governing the digital lending space.

"The focus of the engagements has been inter alia on business models, consumer protection and fitness and propriety of proposed shareholders, directors, and management," the apex bank said.

"This is to ensure adherence to the relevant laws and importantly that the inte...