Equity Group Holdings has reported a profit after tax of KSh 19.1 billion for the first quarter of 2026, marking a 24% increase compared to the same period last year.
The bank said strong regional performance, rapid digital banking growth, and improved loan recovery helped boost earnings during the period.
Its total assets grew to KSh 2.04 trillion, while customer deposits rose by 13%, showing continued confidence from customers across its markets in East and Central Africa. Net loans also increased by 9% as economic activity improved in several countries where the bank operates.
The lender now serves about 22.7 million customers through branches, agents, merchants, and digital platforms across the region.
Equity Group CEO James Mwangi said the results reflected the success of the bank’s strategy to expand beyond traditional banking and focus more on technology-driven services.
Digital banking continued to dominate transactions at the bank, with nearly 90% of all transactions happening through digital channels such as mobile apps, online banking, and agency banking. The bank also revealed that over 98% of customer transactions now happen outside physical branches.
Equity Bank Kenya recorded a 21% rise in profit to KSh 10.3 billion, while its subsidiary in the Democratic Republic of Congo posted a 32% increase. Rwanda and Tanzania operations also registered strong growth.
The group also improved its loan book quality after reducing non-performing loans from 14% to 10%.
READ ALSO: Matatu Operators Suspend Nationwide Strike for Seven Days
Beyond banking, Equity continued investing in insurance, artificial intelligence, and community programmes through the Equity Group Foundation, focusing on education, healthcare, agriculture, and youth technology training across Africa.
Looking ahead, the Equity Bank said it remains focused on its 2030 strategy under the Africa Recovery and Resilience Plan, which targets expansion into 15 countries and growth of its customer base to 100 million people across the continent.
