What is KYC (Know Your Customer)?
Confirming who a customer is before you do business with them.
Definition
KYC, or Know Your Customer, is the process of confirming a customer’s identity and assessing their risk before and during a business relationship. In Kenya it usually combines ID verification (IPRS), phone and address checks, and screening against risk lists.
In plain English
In plain English: KYC (Know Your Customer) is simply making sure a customer is really who they say they are before — and while — you do business with them. It usually means checking an ID, sometimes a phone or address, and screening for risk.
Why it matters
Strong KYC reduces fraud and impersonation, keeps you compliant with regulators, and builds a clean, auditable record of who you onboarded and why.
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Frequently asked questions
What does KYC stand for?
KYC stands for Know Your Customer — the process of verifying a customer’s identity and assessing their risk.
Why is KYC important?
KYC reduces fraud and impersonation, keeps you compliant with regulators, and gives you a clean, auditable record of who you onboarded.
What is the difference between KYC and KYB?
KYC verifies an individual customer, while KYB (Know Your Business) verifies a company — its registration, directors and status.
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