Equity Group Holdings Plc has delivered a strong financial performance for the first half of 2026, driven by rising contributions from its regional subsidiaries, improved asset quality, and accelerated digital adoption across its footprint.

The pan-African financial services group recorded a 32% increase in Profit After Tax to KSh45.5 billion, up from KSh34.6 billion in the same period last year. Total income grew 25% to KSh124.9 billion, supported by a 17% rise in net interest income to KSh69.3 billion and a 36% jump in non-funded income to KSh55.6 billion. Non-funded income now accounts for 44.5% of total revenue.

Equity’s balance sheet expanded by 20% to KSh2.16 trillion, underpinned by a 21% increase in customer deposits to KSh1.59 trillion and a 19% rise in net loans to KSh981 billion. Shareholders’ funds reached KSh350 billion, reflecting a 27% year-on-year growth.

The group’s regional banking operations outside Kenya continued to deepen their impact, now generating 42% of banking profits, 47% of revenue, 51% of deposits, and 54% of loans.

  • DRC (Equity BCDC): Net profit rose 30% to KSh11.8 billion.
  • Tanzania: Net profit surged 82% to KSh2.0 billion.
  • Rwanda: Net profit increased 12% to KSh2.9 billion.

In Kenya, the anchor subsidiary posted a 32% rise in Profit After Tax to Ksh. 25.7 billion, supported by a 24% growth in deposits and an 8% increase in loan originations. Equity Bank Kenya also maintained its focus on small businesses, disbursing 36% of the total Ksh. 101 billion in MSME loans issued across the country between January and March 2026.

Operationally, customer interactions have shifted almost entirely away from physical brick-and-mortar locations.

  • 98.3% of all group transactions were executed outside traditional branch networks.
  • 89.7% of transactions were handled directly through digital channels such as Equity Mobile, Equity Online, *247#, and Equitel.
  • 410 branches and 92,572 agency outlets complement the digital network to serve 23.3 million total customers.

Efficiency gains from this digital transition helped lower the group’s cost-to-income ratio from 51.7% to 48.6%. Simultaneously, asset quality strengthened: the Non-Performing Loan (NPL) ratio fell from 13.7% to 9.5%, while NPL coverage improved to 70%, allowing loan loss provisions to drop by 6%.

Speaking during the results release, Group Managing Director and CEO Dr. James Mwangi attributed the performance to regional macroeconomic tailwinds and internal investments in technology and human capital.

“Our H1 2026 performance reflects the success of our deliberate transformation into a diversified, regional, technology-enabled financial services group. As we progress towards our Africa Recovery and Resilience Plan (ARRP) 2030 ambitions, we are evolving beyond traditional banking into an integrated tech-enabled financial institution that mobilizes capital, connects ecosystems, and accelerates inclusive, sustainable prosperity across Africa.” Dr. James Mwangi, Group MD & CEO

To support its long-term automation and analytics push, the group noted significant workforce upskilling: 82% of its staff have completed instruction in generative AI, while 406 employees were admitted to Master’s programs in Financial Engineering and Applied AI via WorldQuant University.