Tala Money March report: Kenyans want more guidance on saving effectively and how to start/grow a business
Nairobi, 22nd March 2022 – Kenyans want more guidance from financial institutions on saving effectively and how to start/grow a business, according to Tala’s “Credit Barometer 2022” report . The research, whose goal was to ascertain Kenyans’ financial literacy levels, health and resilience, surveyed over 423 customers from the Fintech’s client base.
While presenting results to the media, Teddy Kahiro, User Research Manager at Tala said, “This report’s main objective was to help us understand our customers, their needs, how their preferences are changing and how we can evolve to meet their needs. In addition, we believe that empowering our customers to make financial decisions based on education, will help break the cycle of over – indebtedness and bring more underbanked Kenyans into the financially healthy circle.”
Mr. Teddy Kahiro pointed out that one of the key discoveries from the survey was that Kenyans’ financial health and resilience is improving three months into the new year with the country’s economy opening back up post relaxation of some of the Covid-19 restrictions. “67% said their income had increased in the past six months but 53 % cited higher expenditure in the past six months”, he said.
On borrowing trends, 59% of customers have increased their borrowing in the last 6 months. The top reason for 78% of the participants taking loans is business related, to either pay business expenses or add stock, supported by the finding that 8 out of every 10 respondents have side hustles other than their main income source.
With Tala’s Money March campaign now in its third year, the Fintech has committed to promoting financial literacy in Kenya by providing financial education and training to customers through various platforms. This includes the learning center on the website, podcasts with partners keen on boosting financial resilience and health in Kenya and sharing financial education messages on digital assets.
“Empowering our customers with solid education on finances is a key objective for us. We believe financial resilience among the underserved and underbanked Kenyan majority can be enormously boosted by helping them understand how money works in everyday life” said Ms. Annstella Mumbi, Tala’s Country Growth Manager during the media event. “Financial literacy education will give young people the foundations of future success and can help economically disenfranchised Kenyans out of deprivation,” she emphasized.
For further information contact;
Valerie N Mumia
E: valeriemumia@unchartedpr.com
M: 254 704658936
About Tala
Tala is a global technology company building the world’s most accessible financial services. More than 6 million people across Kenya, the Philippines, Mexico, and India, have used Tala products to start and expand small businesses, manage day-to-day needs, and pursue their financial goals with confidence. Tala has raised more than $350 million from visionary investors including Upstart, the Stellar Development Foundation, RPS Ventures, the J. Safra Group, IVP, Revolution Growth, Lowercase Capital, and PayPal Ventures.