By BigEyeUg Team
Key highlights:
- Total assets increased by 4% year on year to Kshs 1.75 trillion from Kshs 1.69 trillion.
- Customer deposits increased by 7% year on year to Kshs 1.32 trillion.
- Net loans increased by 3% year on year to Kshs 804.7 billion.
- Regional operations contributed 47% of total assets and 45% of profit before tax.
Nairobi, 29th May 2025 – Demonstrating strategic agility and resilience amid a dynamic global economic landscape, Equity Group has posted strong financial results and regional growth. It has solidified its position as a systemic regional financial services provider, ranking second in market share in three of the six countries it operates in: Kenya, DRC, and Rwanda.
The Group’s strategic focus delivered sustainable growth, with customer deposits increasing by 7% year-on-year to Kshs 1.32 trillion from Kshs 1.24 trillion. This supported a 3% expansion in net loans to Kshs 804.7 billion, while total assets rose 4% to Kshs 1.75 trillion. These gains underline Equity Group’s financial strength and its capacity to support economic transformation.
Equity achieved a return on equity (ROE) of 23.9% and return on assets (ROA) of 3.5%, with profit after tax (PAT) reaching Kshs 15.4 billion. Excluding non-operational inflation adjustments from South Sudan, profit before tax grew 8%, from Kshs 17.3 billion to Kshs 18.8 billion.
Regional and subsidiary performance
Equity Group’s tri-engine approach—commercial, social, and sustainability—continues to drive impact and sustainable economic growth. The Kenya subsidiary showed recovery with 7% growth in deposits to Kshs 792.7 billion. Total revenue rose 19%, and non-funded income increased by 23% to Kshs 7.57 billion, resulting in a 50% increase in profit before tax. ROA and ROE for Kenya improved to 3.4% and 26.0%, respectively. Kenya remains the largest contributor, accounting for 51% of total revenue.
Regional subsidiaries are also showing robust growth. Equity Bank Tanzania reported 14% growth in deposits and 9% growth in loans, with profit before tax surging by 540%. ROA and ROE stood at 3.2% and 22.6%, respectively. In DRC, EquityBCDC recorded 9% YoY growth in customer loans to Kshs 252.1 billion and 8% growth in deposits to Kshs 468.4 billion, playing a key role in financing agriculture, manufacturing, and MSMEs.
Collectively, regional subsidiaries contributed 47% of total assets, 48% of net loans, and 45% of profit before tax, highlighting the Group’s growing cross-border influence in East and Central Africa.
Comments from leadership
Dr. James Mwangi, Managing Director and CEO of Equity Group Holdings Plc, stated:
“We are proud of the resilience demonstrated by the Group amidst a challenging global economic landscape. Our financial strength gives us flexibility to seize opportunities, and our regional and non-banking subsidiaries position us to deliver sustainable growth and long-term value to our stakeholders.”
Financial performance and asset quality
Net interest income grew 3% to Kshs 28.6 billion, while total expenses decreased by 1% to Kshs 29.5 billion. Profit before tax stood at Kshs 18.7 billion.
The non-performing loan (NPL) ratio was 14%, below the industry average of 17.2%. NPL coverage stood at 67%, reinforcing the Group’s strong asset quality.
Diversification and non-banking businesses
Equity’s non-banking subsidiaries—investment banking, fintech, and insurance—continued to support revenue diversification and customer-centric financial solutions.
The insurance business posted a 27% increase in profit before tax to Kshs 414 million. Since launching in March 2022, the Group has issued 15.3 million insurance policies, 80% through digital channels.
The Group is also acquiring a health insurance license to complement its general and life assurance offerings, enabling it to provide holistic insurance solutions for corporate, SME, and retail segments. Equity Bancassurance Intermediary Limited remains instrumental in promoting growth, risk protection, and financial literacy.
Equity Investment Bank and technology units recorded profit growth of 142% and 10%, respectively, underscoring the strength of the Group’s diversification strategy.
Digital innovation and financial inclusion
Digital innovation remains a key pillar of Equity’s strategy. Today, 87% of all transactions are processed digitally.
- Equity Mobile App and USSD: 39.5 million transactions worth Kshs 942.7 billion
- Equitel: 92 million transactions, up from 65.2 million
- EazzyFX: Kshs 29.5 billion in foreign exchange transactions
- Equity Online: Kshs 41.7 billion in value transacted
- Pay With Equity (PWE): Kshs 567.6 billion across 1.1 million merchants
The ONE Equity platform continues to enhance customer experience by integrating digital services under a single umbrella.
Social impact and sustainability
Equity continues to reinforce its commitment to inclusive development:
- Equity Leaders Program (ELP): 29,515 scholars supported, 113 in top global universities
- Pre-university internship: 750 scholars admitted in 2025; over 9,700 internships to date
- TVET scholarships: 3,979 supported
Environmental impact:
- 35 million trees planted
- 494,543 clean energy products distributed
- Over USD 200 million extended in climate finance
Equity was recognized by IFC as the financial institution with the highest number of climate-related transactions globally.
Africa Recovery and Resilience Plan (ARRP)
Equity is advancing its ARRP, a private sector-led development plan aiming to catalyze and connect African enterprises. Through strategic partnerships with the AfDB, Microsoft, Mastercard, and the World Food Programme, Equity is driving financial inclusion, digital agriculture, and economic empowerment.
Under the Young Africa Works program, the Group has:
- Disbursed Kshs 353 billion to 350,149 MSMEs
- Trained 653,372 MSMEs and educated 2.49 million women and youth in financial literacy
- Reached 5.82 million people through social protection programs, disbursing Kshs 167.8 billion
- Recorded 3.66 million patient visits at 134 Equity Afia Clinics
Awards and recognition
Equity was named a Superbrand in East Africa for the fourth time and won 16 top awards at the 20th Think Business Banking Awards. Recognitions included CEO of the Year and top positions in categories such as SME Banking, Financial Literacy, Agriculture Financing, and CSR.
Dr. Mwangi concluded:
“Our focus on financial inclusion, regional expansion, and sustainable growth enables us to continue catalyzing economic empowerment across Africa. These recognitions affirm our commitment to quality, innovation, and customer impact.”
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Alex Muhia
Equity Group
T: Office – 0763 026007 | Mobile – 0763 618 871
E: Alex.Muhia@equitybank.co.ke
Daniel Okoth
Ogilvy Africa PR & I
T: 0737 111 708
E: Daniel.Okoth@ogilvy.africa
