At a Glance
- Equity, KCB and Co-operative Bank dominate Kenya’s market value and profitability rankings.
- Mid-tier and foreign-owned lenders lift competition through fintech upgrades and broader credit offerings.
- Digital lending, strong capital buffers and regional expansion continue to drive sector resilience.
Kenya’s banking sector remains one of Africa’s strongest financial systems, supported by firm regulation, rapid digital adoption and resilient private-sector credit demand.
The top-ranking banks in Kenya, based on their latest market valuation on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), which is among the top seven strongest stock exchanges in Africa, reflect performance, scale and investor confidence in 2025.
Despite inflation, tighter liquidity and elevated funding costs, Kenyan lenders continue to attract global investors.
Stable margins, expanding non-interest income and mobile-first banking have strengthened profitability across the industry. Larger banks maintain their lead through regional operations and cost efficiency, while mid-tier lenders are gaining ground through fintech investment and diversified products.
While the industry is navigating challenges tied to currency swings and slow credit uptake in some sectors, major banks still post solid asset growth and healthy capital buffers.
Foreign-owned lenders, including Standard Chartered and Absa Kenya, remain integral to the market’s stability and governance standards.
Below is a ranking of Kenya’s 10 most valuable banks, based on market capitalization, alongside a brief snapshot of their scale, as chronicled by Shore Africa.
1. Equity Bank Kenya — Ksh230 billion ($1.79 billion)
Equity remains Kenya’s most valuable lender, driven by strong retail banking, regional expansion and digital innovation. Its asset base continues to grow on the back of SME lending and mobile services. Profitability remains resilient, supported by fee income and a low-cost funding model anchored on agency banking.
2. KCB Bank Kenya Limited— Ksh181 billion ($1.4 billion
KCB Bank Kenya Limited, formerly Kenya Commercial Bank, maintains its position as a regional heavyweight with operations across East Africa. The lender posts solid asset growth and stable earnings, supported by corporate banking, digital channels and subsidiaries in Rwanda and Uganda. Its focus on cost discipline and loan recovery continues to strengthen its balance sheet.
3. Co-operative Bank of Kenya — Ksh 134 billion ($1.04 billion)
Co-op Bank benefits from a wide cooperative movement customer base and a strong retail franchise. Its digital migration strategy has lifted transaction volumes while keeping operating costs low. The lender continues to deliver steady profits, backed by improved loan quality and prudent credit provisioning.
4. NCBA Group — Ksh129 billion ($997.69 million)
NCBA has emerged as a digital lending powerhouse, driven by its M-Shwari mobile credit product. The bank maintains solid earnings growth supported by asset finance, regional presence and a strong retail digital strategy. Its balance sheet continues to expand despite tight liquidity across the sector.
5. Absa Bank Kenya — Ksh120 billion ($928 million)
Absa Kenya has built strength in corporate and SME banking, supported by stable loan growth and strong capital adequacy. Digital adoption has boosted customer activity, while its risk management framework continues to shield earnings from volatile macroeconomic conditions.
6. Standard Chartered Bank Kenya — Ksh108 billion ($835.3 million)
Standard Chartered leverages its global network to attract corporate clients, multinationals and high-net-worth customers. The bank posts consistent profits supported by trade finance, wealth management and treasury operations. Strong governance and conservative lending remain central to its market positioning.
7. Stanbic Bank Kenya — Ksh76.2 billion ($589.33 million)
Stanbic benefits from strong ties to Standard Bank Group and a deep corporate banking portfolio. The lender maintains healthy profitability through investment banking, trade finance and structured solutions. Its digital upgrades have strengthened customer engagement and broadened its retail footprint.
8. I&M Bank —Ksh75 billion ($580.05 million)
I&M continues to expand its corporate and high-value retail banking segments. The lender is investing heavily in technology to grow transaction income and streamline operations. Its regional subsidiaries contribute steadily to earnings, helping diversify revenue away from Kenya’s competitive domestic market.
9. BKG Group Kenya – Ksh38.1 billion ($294.67 million)
Bank of Kigali is a Rwanda-based financial services company that operates via three segments: retail banking, corporate banking, and central treasury. The retail banking segment includes banking services such as current and savings accounts, fixed deposits to individuals, retail lending, which are mainly consumer loans and mortgage-based lending and mortgages. BK Group Plc is listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) since November 30, 2018. BK Group Plc is currently the 13th most valuable stock on the NSE with a market capitalization of KES 38.1 billion, which makes about 1.35% of the Nairobi Securities Exchange equity market.
10. Diamond Trust Bank Kenya — Ksh30.8 billion ($238.21 million)
DTB’s long-standing presence in East Africa supports its diversified earnings across Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Its strategy focuses on SME banking and branch modernization. While facing competitive pressure, the lender maintains stable capital buffers and consistent performance.
10. Housing Finance Company of Kenya — Ksh18.1 billion ($139.99 million)
HF remains Kenya’s dedicated mortgage lender, operating in a challenging housing finance environment marked by high interest rates. The bank is restructuring its business model, refocusing on asset quality, digital channels and cost efficiency to stabilize earnings and rebuild investor confidence.
