Debit Card Ownership Statistics in Kenya (2026)
According to World Bank Global Findex data, 19.5% of adults in Kenya owned a debit card in 2024. Down from 22.4% in 2021 to 19.5% in 2024 (−2.9 percentage points). Kenya ranks #8 of 36 economies in Sub-Saharan Africa on this measure, and #108 of 145 globally.
Key Statistics
- Latest value (2024)
- 19.5% (2024)
- Debit Card Ownership in Kenya as of 2024, the most recent observation in World Bank Global Findex data.
- Change since 2021
- −2.9 pp (2024)
- Down from 22.4% in 2021 to 19.5% in 2024 (−2.9 percentage points).
- Earliest value in this dataset (2011)
- 29.9% (2011)
- Earliest observation in this dataset, which covers 1990 onward (the source series may begin earlier). Down from 29.9% in 2011 to 19.5% in 2024.
- Peak value (2017)
- 37.6% (2017)
- Highest value in the available series; the 2024 value is 19.5%.
- Rank in Sub-Saharan Africa
- #8 of 36 (2024)
- Kenya ranks 8 of 36 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with data, based on each country's latest value.
- Global rank
- #108 of 145 (2024)
- Kenya ranks 108 of 145 countries with data globally.
- Sub-Saharan Africa average
- 16.3% (2024)
- Kenya (19.5%) is above the average of 16.3% across the 36 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with data.
- Among women (2024)
- 14.4% (2024)
- Value for women in Kenya, same 2024 World Bank Global Findex data.
- Among men (2024)
- 24.9% (2024)
- Value for men in Kenya, same 2024 World Bank Global Findex data.
- Gender gap (women minus men)
- −10.5 pp (2024)
- In 2024, the figure was 14.4% for women and 24.9% for men — 10.5 percentage points lower among women.
- Internet use in Kenya (2024)
- 35% (2024)
- 35% of the population in Kenya used the internet in 2024 (World Bank); shown for context only.
- Population (2024)
- 56.4 million (2024)
- Kenya had a population of 56.4 million in 2024 (World Bank); shown for scale only.
Trend, 2011–2024
| Year | % of adults (age 15+) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 19.5% | −2.9 pp |
| 2021 | 22.4% | −15.1 pp |
| 2017 | 37.6% | +2.9 pp |
| 2014 | 34.7% | +4.7 pp |
| 2011 | 29.9% | — |
Frequently asked questions
What share of adults in Kenya owned a debit card?
19.5% of adults in Kenya owned a debit card in 2024, according to World Bank Global Findex data.
How has debit card ownership in Kenya changed over time?
World Bank Global Findex data show a decline from 29.9% in 2011 to 19.5% in 2024.
How does Kenya compare with other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa?
Kenya ranks 8 of 36 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with data, with 19.5% versus a regional average of 16.3% (latest values per country).
Where does Kenya rank globally on debit card ownership?
Kenya ranks 108 of 145 countries with data globally, based on the latest World Bank Global Findex value for each country.
Is there a gender gap in debit card ownership in Kenya?
Yes — in 2024 the figure was 14.4% for women and 24.9% for men, a gap of 10.5 percentage points in favor of men.
Source & methodology
Source: World Bank Global Findex, indicator
fin2.t.d, retrieved .
Figures are shown exactly as published in the source dataset; only the change column of the trend table is computed from adjacent published values.Read more on the methodology page. All figures are estimates and projections; this is not financial advice.
Last updated .