Nairobi, Kenya – Hustler Fund borrowers are set to benefit from enhanced credit opportunities following the unveiling of two key initiatives by President William Ruto during the Fund’s second anniversary celebrations at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on Monday.

The first initiative, a behavioral credit rating system, assigns borrowers a credit score ranging from A1 (very good) to C3 (very poor). This system aims to reward borrowers with timely repayment histories by increasing their credit limits, with some eligible for doubled or even tripled loan amounts. “We are assigning a credit score to every borrower so that this becomes their new collateral,” President Ruto said. The system ensures transparency by automatically adjusting credit scores based on borrowing patterns.

The second initiative, the Bridge Loan product, allows well-rated borrowers to access larger loan amounts with an extended repayment period of 30 days, up from the previous 14 days. Interest rates remain unchanged at 8% per annum. The product also aims to transition borrowers into the mainstream financial sector, helping them build relationships with banks and enhance their creditworthiness for future opportunities.

Since its inception, the Hustler Fund has disbursed over KSh60 billion to 24.7 million Kenyans. Borrowers have saved KSh3.4 billion through mandatory savings tied to the loans, with 70% allocated to long-term savings managed by the Kenya National Entrepreneurs Savings Trust (KNEST), offering an 11% interest rate. President Ruto urged financial institutions to use the Fund’s credit rating data to support borrowers’ progression, emphasizing, “You don’t have to know the chief, the Principal Secretary, or the President to get a good credit rating—all you need is your phone.”