In Kenya, the demand for school loans has spiked significantly over the past four years amidst challenging economic conditions. Tala, a leading digital lending platform, has revealed a substantial surge of about 50% in the uptake of student loans from 2019 to 2023.

The latest data from Tala highlights a notable increase in educational loan applications, particularly during the back-to-school months of January, August, and September. Moreover, the report underscores that nearly half of all education loans in Kenya are acquired by women.

Teddy Kahiro, the User Research Manager at Tala, emphasized the impact of women’s access to financial services on households. He pointed out that increased financial resources, when available to women, are often directed towards children’s education, healthcare, and overall family well-being.

The findings also shed light on the additional expenses associated with public education in Kenya, including supplies, uniforms, transportation, textbooks, as well as the recently implemented Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) requirements. These supplementary costs place a significant financial burden on families, impacting their ability to manage finances effectively and maintain peace of mind.

Kahiro reiterated Tala’s commitment to providing comprehensive financial solutions to address the escalating costs of education. He stressed that such initiatives are crucial for the advancement of communities and play a pivotal role in shaping a more equitable and promising future for all.

The surge in school loan uptake in Kenya underscores the pressing need for accessible financial support in the education sector, reflecting the broader global significance of addressing financial challenges in pursuing education.