East African finance is one of the most innovative banking landscapes in the world. Kenya invented mobile money at scale with M-Pesa, the SACCO movement holds a meaningful share of regional savings, and a generation of fintech startups is building credit scoring, cross-border payments, insurance, and wealth platforms that compete with the incumbents. The traditional sector of banks, microfinance institutions and audit and accounting firms has had to modernise to keep up.

EABD's finance listings cover commercial banks, microfinance, SACCOs, insurance companies and brokers, fintech platforms, payment processors, investment advisory firms, accountants, and tax advisors. Verification on this category is taken seriously: we cross-check Central Bank, SACCO regulator, and IRA/IBSL/UIA registration where applicable, because trust matters more in finance than in any other category.

Microfinance Institutions in East Africa: common questions

How many microfinance institutions are there in East Africa?

EABD lists 323 microfinance institutions in East Africa as of 16 October 2026. Businesses that EABD has checked carry a verified badge on their profile.

What are the top microfinance institutions in East Africa?

EABD's top-ranked microfinance institutions are Himilo Microfinance, eDir App and Dahabshiil. Category Sponsors and promoted businesses come first and are always labelled, then businesses on paid plans, then everyone else. Each group is ordered by EABD Score, which reflects a business's overall presence on EABD, including things like verification, customer reviews and profile completeness.

How do I choose a microfinance institution in East Africa?

Ask for the total cost of the loan in shillings, not only the interest rate. Check fees, penalties for late payment and whether insurance is added. Confirm the lender is licensed or registered with the regulator.

How do I list my microfinance institution on EABD?

Create a free EABD account, then add your business or claim its existing profile. It appears on pages like this one once published. Getting verified, completing the profile, replying to customers and collecting genuine reviews all help its EABD Score.