Atto

The Mastercard Foundation is helping expand access to finance across Africa by deploying credit capital through partnerships with financial institutions, governments, and development organizations. This article explores how the Foundation’s financing approach supports small businesses, young entrepreneurs, and underserved communities while strengthening local lending ecosystems across multiple markets.

Credit unions in 2026 need more than basic loan tracking tools. They require flexible loan management platforms that support member onboarding, automated underwriting, repayments, collections, compliance, and integrations with core banking and payment systems. In this article, we explore some of the best loan management platforms for credit unions, comparing their features, scalability, and suitability for different lending operations and member-focused financial services.

Kenya’s licensing of 42 new digital lenders signals a major shift in how credit markets across Africa are evolving. By bringing more players into a regulated framework, the move aims to improve transparency, protect borrowers, and expand access to formal credit. But it also raises important questions about competition, risk management, and market saturation. For lenders across the continent, this development offers both a blueprint for regulation and a reminder that sustainable growth depends not just on scale, but on trust, compliance, and responsible lending practices.