New program launched to boost fintech growth across Kenya

Kenya has rolled out a new programme designed to accelerate fintech expansion nationwide, aiming to deepen financial inclusion, foster innovation, and modernize payment systems for individuals and businesses. The initiative — spearheaded by Pesalink — was launched on 23 October 2025, and seeks to spur fintech-bank interoperability, encourage competition, and support the growth of inclusive digital financial services across the country.
Under the new scheme, fintech firms will have simplified access to shared infrastructure rather than building isolated systems — a move that proponents say will lower barriers for startups and encourage more diverse, scalable solutions. Pesalink’s board chair described the programme as a milestone for Kenya’s digital payments landscape, while others noted it could unlock easier integration of payment, lending, and remittance services — especially for underserved populations and small businesses.
The launch aligns with a broader national push for financial modernization, including regulatory reforms such as the Virtual Asset Service Providers Act, 2025 (VASP Act), enacted in October 2025 to formalize the cryptocurrency and digital-asset space under legal oversight.
These complementary efforts signal a strategic shift by Kenyan authorities and players in the fintech ecosystem toward building a robust, regulated, and inclusive digital finance infrastructure.