Equity Group profits jump 32% to Sh54.1bn in nine months

Equity Group Holdings has reported a 32 per cent jump in profit after tax to Sh54.1 billion for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2025, from Sh40.9 billion reported during the same period last year.

PWBy: Ian
IN BRIEF:
  • Net interest income: +16% to Sh93.6bn
  • Non-interest income: +2.5% to Sh62.7bn
  • Total income: +10% to Sh156bn
  • Profit before tax: +28.5% to Sh65.6bn
  • Profit after tax: +32% to Sh54.1bn
  • Total assets: +6.7% to Sh1.8tn
  • Loan book: +7.5% to Sh859.8bn
  • Non-performing loans(gross): +3% to 129.1bn
Equity Group Holdings has reported a 32 per cent growth in profit after tax for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2025 driven by cheap deposits. The lender cut interest expenses on customer deposits by 15 per cent to Sh28.7 billion lifting net interest income by 16% to Sh93.6 billion.
The regional lender, which operates in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, DRC and South Sudan, reported a profit of Sh54.1 billion, up from the Sh40.9 billion reported in September 2024. The Kenyan unit was the driver of profit growth, contributing 35.3 per cent of the group’s profits. The Kenyan operation grew its profit before tax by 50 per cent to Sh35.3 billion compared to Sh23.5 billion reported during the same period last year.
The Group CEO, Dr. James Mwangi, said the Kenyan unit performed well despite shrinking balance sheet in a challenging environment due to operational efficiency. Equity Bank Kenya reduced its cost to income ratio to 47 per cent from 57 per cent a year ago.
The Group CEO, Dr. James Mwangi, told investors during the investor briefing:
“The cost-income ratio of Kenya has moved from 57 per cent to 47 per cent. What does it mean? That as at December, for every 100 shillings of revenue Kenya was making, It was spending 60. For every 100 shilling Kenya is making now, it is only spending 47 and keeping 53.”
Equity BCDC, the group’s subsidiary in Democratic Republic of Congo, came in second contributing 28% of the banking group’s pre-tax profits. The bank reported a 18 per cent growth in profit before tax to Sh17.7 billion compared to Sh15 billion reported a year earlier.
The group CEO, Dr. James Mwangi, speculated to investors that he expected the DRC unit to bigger than the the Kenyan unit by 2027.
“I bet by 2027, DRC might be bigger than Kenya.”
Uganda contributed Sh3.5 billion to banking group’s pre-tax profits, Rwanda (Sh5.5 billion), Tanzania (Sh1.9 billion) and South Sudan(Sh0.1 billion). In total, regional subsidiaries outside Kenya contributed 45% of the banking group’s profit before tax.
Equity Group Holdings share price has jumped by more than 10%, or Sh6.25, to Sh66.25 as of Friday, October 31, 2025 in the early trading session.

    Explore more on these topics

    SOURCES:

    More from News

    ACQUISITIONS16h ago

    Hemas Holdings completes acquisition of 75% stake in Twiga Stationers for Sh2.86bn

    Sri Lanka's Hemas Holdings has completed the acquisition of a 75 percent stake in Twiga Stationers, the Kenyan manufacturer of the Kasuku and Crownbird stationery brands, in a deal valued at Sh2.86 billion ($22 million).

    EARNINGS16h ago

    Scangroup half-year loss widens 22% to Sh254m

    WPP Scangroup half-year losses widened by 22 per cent to Sh254 million on lower gross profit due to reduced client spending and full year impact of lost client accounts.

    BANKING17h ago

    SBM Bank expands into Mt. Kenya Region

    SBM Bank has opened a new branch in Nanyuki targeting Laikipia's farmers, tourism operators, and businesses with banking services.

    EQUITY DEALS19 Aug

    Absa Group to raise Kenyan unit stake to 72% after tender offer

    Absa Group Limited has fallen well short of the target it set for a tender offer to minority shareholders of Absa Bank Kenya PLC, picking up only about 21 per cent of the shares it had offered to buy, lifting its stake in the Kenyan unit up to roughly 72 per cent.