Tala and Branch App Loans: Do They Report to CRB Kenya?
Updated April 2026 • 6 min read
The Rise of App-Based Lending in Kenya
Kenya's mobile lending ecosystem includes dozens of apps — Tala (formerly Mkopo Rahisi) and Branch being among the biggest. Between them, they have disbursed billions of shillings in loans to millions of Kenyans, primarily targeting the unbanked and underbanked population.
Because these apps operate under CBK's Digital Credit Provider (DCP) licensing framework introduced in 2022, they are now regulated — and regulation comes with CRB reporting obligations.
Does Tala Report to CRB?
Yes. Tala is licensed by the Central Bank of Kenya as a Digital Credit Provider. Under Schedule 2 of the Central Bank of Kenya Act (as amended 2021), all licensed DCPs must submit borrower data to licensed CRBs. Tala reports to TransUnion Kenya and potentially to other bureaus.
- Positive data: Repaid loans improve your TransUnion score
- Negative data: Defaults of 90+ days lead to NPL listings
- Tala may first pursue in-app recovery before submitting a formal CRB report
Does Branch Report to CRB?
Yes. Branch International is similarly licensed by CBK and must comply with CRB reporting laws. Branch reports borrower data — both positive repayments and defaults — to credit bureaus. Branch has been particularly known for aggressively reporting overdue accounts after the CBK regulatory framework tightened in 2022–2023.
If you defaulted on a Branch loan before the 2022 regulation, your data may or may not have been formally submitted. However, any defaults after mid-2022 are almost certainly on your CRB file.
Other Popular Digital Lenders That Report to CRB
| Lender | Reports to CRB? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tala | Yes | Licensed DCP; TransUnion primary |
| Branch | Yes | Licensed DCP; full reporting |
| Zenka | Yes | Licensed; reports after 90 days |
| Okash | Yes | Licensed; CBK compliant |
| Haraka (by Getcash) | Yes | Licensed DCP |
| Timiza (Absa) | Yes | Bank subsidiary; full CRB reporting |
| Stawi (CBK equity fund) | Yes | Government-linked; strict reporting |
| Unlicensed/Unknown apps | Variable | Avoid these — no regulatory protection |
What Happens When Tala or Branch Lists You on CRB
- Your credit score drops, reducing approval chances at banks, SACCOs, and other lenders
- Other digital lenders with cross-bureau access see the listing and decline you
- New Tala/Branch accounts may be blocked or have severely reduced limits
- The listing stays on record for up to 5 years from the default date
How to Clear a Tala or Branch CRB Listing
- Open the relevant app and repay the outstanding loan amount
- Request a loan repayment confirmation or clearance from in-app support
- Contact the relevant CRB with proof of repayment and national ID
- Wait up to 30 days for the bureau to update your record
- Run a new CRB report to confirm the listing is resolved
See Your Full Digital Lender CRB History
Our CRB report shows every active and historical listing — including Tala, Branch, and others — in one clear view.
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