The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has launched three major policy frameworks aimed at transforming the country’s financial landscape and accelerating equitable access to financial services.

The announcement, made on December 4, 2025, marked the unveiling of the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) 2025–2028, the Fourth Medium Term Plan for the Financial Services Sector (MTP IV FSS) 2023–2027, and the signing of the Women Entrepreneurs (WE) Finance Code.

CBK said the three frameworks will collectively “provide a strong foundation for transformation of Kenya’s financial sector landscape,” noting that their rollout is expected to boost inclusion, strengthen policy coordination and unlock new opportunities for marginalised groups.

According to the Bank, the NFIS was developed through extensive input from “a wide range of stakeholders, local and foreign,” and benefited from significant public participation.

The Strategy seeks to enhance equitable access, usage and quality of financial services, covering payments, credit, insurance, pension, savings and investments.

CBK explained that the NFIS aims to “minimise duplication of efforts among various players and ensure efficient use of resources” while creating a unified platform for innovation and policy alignment.

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Six Pillars to Drive Inclusion

The NFIS is structured around six pillars designed to address gaps across Kenya’s financial ecosystem.

These include deepening access to financial services, enhancing usage of quality and affordable products, strengthening consumer protection and financial literacy, promoting inclusive green finance, boosting rural agricultural finance, and expanding access to finance for women, youth, MSMEs, People with Disabilities and Forcibly Displaced Persons.

CBK stated that the Strategy will be implemented through a coordinated structure led by the National Financial Inclusion Council chaired by the Principal Secretary at the National Treasury.

It will also involve the Technical Coordination Committee chaired by the CBK Deputy Governor, thematic working groups and advisory teams.

CBK noted that it will ensure holistic measurement of financial inclusion across access, usage, quality and impact, saying, “the Strategy will guide innovations, policies and initiatives by various stakeholders.”

Medium Term Plan to Position Kenya as a Regional Hub

The second framework, the MTP IV FSS 2023–2027, sets the overall direction for the financial services sector over five years and aligns with the national development vision.

The Plan recognises the crucial role of financial services in supporting Kenya’s Vision 2030 aspirations.

CBK said the Plan aims to position the country “as a global and regional financial hub” while increasing the sector’s contribution to GDP.

The MTP IV will deepen access to formal financing for underserved groups, including MSMEs, women, youth and persons with disabilities.

The Plan outlines goals such as enhancing efficiency, stability and integrity across the financial system, promoting financial literacy and consumer protection, and mobilising higher levels of savings and investments.

CBK said, “The Plan requires policy, legal, and regulatory reforms across key areas including insurance, national credit information sharing, macroprudential frameworks and unclaimed assets management.”

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Women Entrepreneurs Finance Code Launched

The third milestone was the signing of the Women Entrepreneurs (WE) Finance Code, a global initiative aimed at expanding the number and type of institutions working to close financing gaps for women-led businesses.

CBK Deputy Governor Dr. Susan Koech, the National Champion of the Code, will spearhead its implementation in Kenya.

According to CBK, the Code “provides a platform for financial sector leaders to prompt action inside and outside their organizations” to support women entrepreneurs.

CBK Calls the Three Frameworks ‘Transformative’

CBK said the combined launch of the NFIS, MTP IV FSS and WE Finance Code is expected to consolidate past gains while leveraging technology, data and collaboration among stakeholders to create “a more inclusive, stable and sustainable financial sector to serve many generations to come.”

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CBK Governor Kamau Thugge. PHOTO/Business Daily.