Online lender Tala, which is one of the 22 approved digital lenders in Kenya has granted Kenyans over 3.5 million loans since it started its operation in 2014, amounting to a total of $1.9 billion (KES 239.8 billion).
The company shared this information in its 2022 impact performance report, highlighting its impressive repayment rate of 90 percent as a major accomplishment.
Tala has offered waivers totaling KES 2.6 billion to borrowers in need of financial assistance, with a significant portion of these waivers granted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over the past eight years, Tala has been committed to providing vital financial services to Kenyans while supporting those experiencing economic hardship.
During the presentation, Tala patted itself on the back by revealing its digital loans had a positive impact on the overall quality of life for 84% of borrowers surveyed, despite the fragile state of the country’s economy and high cost of living.
This information is based on the results of a 2022 impact performance survey conducted by 60 decibels, a global impact measurement company that uses technology.
The survey further showed that 27% of borrowers reported improved access to finance, 23% said they could afford household goods and bills, and 18% were able to purchase inventory for their small businesses, making these the top three self-reported outcomes for those experiencing an improved quality of life.
Tala’s Director of Growth, Annstella Mumbi stated that the findings confirm Tala’s core mission to bring affordable credit and flexible payment options to the financially underserved majority in Kenya and integrate them into the financial ecosystem.
She also highlighted the report’s revelation that 85% of female borrowers surveyed reported increased confidence in themselves and their abilities, with 60% stating that they now contribute to household decision-making as a result of their financial empowerment.
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Commenting on the results of the survey, Sasha Dichter, CEO and Co-founder of 60 Decibels said, “We are delighted to partner with Tala on this important work. It’s exciting to see Tala outperform the 60 Decibels Financial Inclusion Benchmarks on a number of core indicators, including First-time Access, Access to Alternatives and Customer Satisfaction. It also speaks volumes that a market leader like Tala is taking the step to listen directly to their customers about social impact in such a rigorous fashion. It means that the company, and the market, see that offering a service at scale is just the first step. To truly understand impact, we need to listen directly to customers, so we know we are building financial inclusion solutions that solve real problems for people.”
