Kenya’s Equity Group commits $200 million to climate finance, accelerating Africa’s green transition

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At a Glance

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• Equity Group invests $200 million in climate finance, supporting clean energy, tree planting, and nature restoration across six African countries.
• The bank reports $119.2 million Q1 profit and 23.9% ROAE, balancing sustainability with strong financial performance in 2025.
• Through education, MSME loans, and healthcare, Equity drives community impact while expanding its footprint in East and Central Africa.

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Equity Group, the leading financial services conglomerate in East and Central Africa under the stewardship of Kenyan banker James Mwangi, has reinforced its dedication to climate resilience by extending over $200 million in climate finance across the region in 2025.

This landmark investment underscores the Group’s crucial role in advancing sustainable development and green growth throughout Africa.

The announcement follows its financial performance, with Equity Group reporting a Return on Equity (ROAE) of 23.9 percent, a Return on Assets (ROA) of 3.5 percent, and a Profit After Tax (PAT) of Ksh 15.4 billion ($119.2 million) for the quarter ending 31st March 2025.

$200 million in climate finance underpins nature restoration and clean energy adoption

Equity Group’s latest impact report reveals the significant scale of its climate action programs. The Group has planted more than 35 million trees and facilitated the distribution of nearly half a million clean energy products to communities, fueling a transition toward sustainable energy solutions and nature restoration. 

These initiatives have positioned Equity as the financial institution with the highest number of climate-related transactions worldwide, according to the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

Climate finance complements strong social and economic impact

Beyond climate initiatives, Equity continues to empower communities through the Equity Leaders Program, which has supported 29,515 scholars and over 9,700 paid internships, while disbursing more than Ksh 353 billion($2.73 billion) to 350,149 MSMEs under its Young Africa Works program. 

The Group’s health arm, Equity Afia Clinics, recorded 3.66 million patient visits across 134 facilities, advancing affordable healthcare access in underserved areas.

James Mwangi highlights sustainability as a growth catalyst

James Mwangi, Managing Director and CEO of Equity Group Holdings Plc, underscored the importance of sustainability in the Group’s strategic agenda. “Our commitment to climate finance and social development not only mitigates environmental risks but also creates economic opportunities for businesses and communities. We are proud to lead Africa’s green transition, aligning our financial strength with responsible growth,” Mwangi said.

Regional expansion and innovation drive Equity’s sustainable growth

Equity Group continues its expansion and strategic presence in six countries in East and Central Africa, with operations now in Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, and South Sudan. Equity is well-positioned to be a driving force for cross-border trade support.

Under James Mwangi, the bank’s balance sheet showed a single-digit growth, with total assets increasing by 3.75 percent to Ksh1.75 trillion ($13.54 billion). Retained earnings also saw a 11.79 percent increase, growing from Ksh219.89 billion ($1.7 billion) to Ksh245.82 billion ($1.9 billion), cementing its status as the largest bank in East Africa.

Equity Group continues to expand its footprint across East and Central Africa, leveraging digital innovation and financial inclusion to build resilience amid global challenges. Its integrated approach to climate action, social empowerment, and economic development positions the Group as a catalyst for Africa’s sustainable future.