Tala Takes on the Three Billion Global Majority Challenge

Tala Takes on the Three Billion Global Majority Challenge

Tala-backed Atlantic Council report points to a $10 trillion opportunity in inclusive finance

Three billion of the world’s six billion adults have never accessed formal sector credit, according to a newly released Atlantic Council report titled The Three Billion Person Challenge.

The report highlights a vast, underserved market that represents a major opportunity for inclusive finance.

The findings show that 4.84 billion adults live in low- and middle-income economies (LMIEs), including Kenya. Of these, 2.5 billion adults, or 51 percent, have bank accounts but do not borrow formally.

Only 24 percent about one billion adults, access formal credit, and many still lack products suited to their needs.

Tala Takes on the Three Billion Global Majority Challenge

Why Formal Credit Remains Out of Reach

The report identifies affordability, lack of trust in service providers, and limited product relevance as the main barriers preventing adults in LMIEs from using formal digital financial services.

Despite progress in financial access, usage remains uneven. This gap continues to limit the economic potential of millions across emerging markets.

Tala: Trust Is the Missing Link

Speaking at Tala Kenya’s 2026 media breakfast in Nairobi, General Manager Ann Stella Mumbi said the challenge of meaningful credit access remains unresolved.

“The problem we began solving ten years ago is still present today,” Mumbi said. “Access has improved, but usage is still a challenge. From our perspective, lack of trust in financial service providers is the critical factor.”

She added that the report’s findings reinforce Tala’s commitment to giving customers choice, awareness, and control. According to Mumbi, the company aims to treat borrowers as informed consumers with long-term potential.

The event marked the first release of the report in Kenya, following its official launch in Washington, DC.

Strengthening Consumer Protection

To address trust and consumer protection concerns, Tala has launched the Global Debt Collection Dignity Initiative (DCDI). The initiative seeks to develop a model framework for regulating debt collection practices.

The framework is designed to be adaptable by national regulators in Kenya and other markets where Tala operates. Its goal is to promote fairness, transparency, and dignity in debt collection.

A Decade of Scale and Expansion

Over the past decade, Tala has served more than 13 million customers across three continents. The company has disbursed over $7 billion in credit during this period.

Tala recently expanded further into Latin America, entering three new markets, with additional launches planned for 2026. In December last year, the company also entered on-chain lending through partnerships with Huma and Solana.