Kenya’s financial inclusion gender gap fell sharply from 12.7 points in 2006 to 1.6 points in 2024

  • Kenya’s financial inclusion surged from 33.2% (men) and 20.5% (women) in 2006 to 85.7% and 84.1%, respectively, in 2024.
  • The gender gap in financial access has nearly disappeared, shrinking from 12.7 percentage points in 2006 to just 1.6 points in 2024.
  • Women’s financial inclusion grew faster, closing the gap primarily between 2009 and 2016, a period marked by mobile money expansion.
  • Digital finance has been a major driver, with mobile banking and fintech solutions providing easier and safer access to financial services.

Over the past two decades, Kenya has made remarkable progress in expanding financial inclusion, with both men and women increasingly gaining access to formal financial services. In 2006, only a third of Kenyan men and just one-fifth of women were financially included. However, by 2024, this picture has completely transformed — with 85.7% of men and 84.1% of women now financially included. The gender gap in financial inclusion, which once stood at 12.7 percentage points, has narrowed dramatically to just 1.6 percentage points.

Source:

Central Bank of Kenya — 2024 FinAccess Household Survey

Period:

2006-2024
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