Equity Group Holdings Plc has reported the strongest financial performance in its history, posting a 55% surge in profit after tax to KSh75.5 billion for the year ended 2025, underscoring the success of its strategic transformation into a diversified regional financial powerhouse.
The Nairobi-based lender announced Wednesday that profit rose sharply from KSh48.8 billion in 2024, supported by strong revenue growth, improved efficiency, and increasing contributions from its regional subsidiaries.
The Group’s balance sheet expanded by 9% to KSh1.97 trillion, while customer deposits grew 4% to KSh1.46 trillion. Net loans also increased by 8% to KSh882.5 billion, reflecting sustained lending activity across its markets. Equity closed the year with 22.4 million customer accounts, driven by its expansive regional network and digital banking ecosystem.
Revenue performance remained robust, with net interest income rising 17% to KSh126.9 billion and non-funded income growing 7% to KSh90.8 billion, pushing total income up 12% to KSh217.7 billion.
Operational efficiency improved significantly, with the cost-to-income ratio dropping to 51.0% from 58.2%, largely due to increased use of digital channels and tighter cost controls. The bank noted that over 98% of transactions were conducted outside branches, with 88.4% processed digitally.
Group Managing Director and CEO James Mwangi said the results reflect the success of Equity’s long-term strategy.
“The 2025 performance reflects the success of our deliberate transformation into a diversified, regional financial services group,” Mwangi said, noting that regional subsidiaries now contribute about half of the Group’s banking profitability.
Regional Subsidiaries Power Growth
Regional operations emerged as a key growth engine, contributing 51% of banking profit before tax and 48% after tax.
Equity Bank Uganda recorded the fastest growth, with profit after tax surging 500% to KSh3.6 billion. Other subsidiaries also posted strong gains, with the Democratic Republic of Congo business growing profit by 58% to KSh24.7 billion, Tanzania rising 125% to KSh2.7 billion, and Rwanda delivering KSh5.4 billion in profit alongside a 22% expansion in its loan book.
The Group’s Kenyan banking unit, Equity Bank Kenya Limited, reported a 63% increase in profit after tax to KSh39.2 billion, driven by strong interest income growth and reduced funding costs.
Dividend Boost for Shareholders
On the back of the record performance, the Board proposed a dividend payout of KSh21.7 billion, translating to KSh5.75 per share—up 35.3% from the previous year.
Insurance and Digital Strategy Gain Momentum
Equity Insurance Group continued its expansion, posting a 75% increase in gross written premiums to KSh9.17 billion and a 36% rise in profit before tax.
The Group attributed part of its success to heavy investment in digital infrastructure and customer-centric services, which have significantly reduced operating costs while improving service delivery.
Social Impact and Future Strategy
Beyond financial performance, Equity said it invested approximately KSh99.5 billion (about $771 million) in social impact and sustainability initiatives during the year through the Equity Group Foundation.
The Foundation supported education, healthcare, agriculture, and entrepreneurship across Africa, including training nearly one million entrepreneurs and facilitating credit access for over 500,000 small businesses.
Looking ahead, the Group said it will continue executing its Africa Recovery and Resilience Plan, targeting operations in 15 countries and 100 million customers by 2030, while leveraging artificial intelligence and digital platforms to scale growth.
Equity Bank was also named the Best Regional Bank in East Africa in 2025 and retained its position as Kenya’s most valuable brand, reinforcing its leadership in financial inclusion and regional banking.
