Equity Group Posts Strong Q1 Results, Cementing Position as Regional Financial Powerhouse
Equity Group has reported a robust first-quarter (Q1) performance for 2025, reflecting strategic agility and resilience amid a challenging global economic landscape. The lender’s regional expansion and diversification strategy has seen it secure a leading position across East and Central Africa, ranking second in market share in Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Rwanda.
The Group’s total assets rose 4 percent year-on-year to Kshs 1.75 trillion, with customer deposits growing 7 percent to Kshs 1.32 trillion. Net loans expanded 3 percent to Kshs 804.7 billion.
These solid fundamentals fueled a Profit After Tax (PAT) of Kshs 15.4 billion and a Profit Before Tax (PBT) of Kshs 18.8 billion, excluding inflation adjustments from South Sudan. The Group posted a Return on Equity of 23.9 percent and Return on Assets of 3.5 percent.
Dr. James Mwangi, Managing Director and CEO of Equity Group Holdings Plc, attributed the performance to the Group’s tri-engine business model integrating commercial, social, and environmental objectives.
“Our diversified regional operations and non-banking subsidiaries continue to deliver value while positioning the Group for long-term sustainable growth,” he said.
In Kenya, the banking subsidiary saw a 7 percent growth in deposits and a 50 percent jump in PBT, accounting for 51% of the Group’s revenue.
Regional subsidiaries also drove performance, with Equity Bank Tanzania posting a 540 percent surge in PBT and EquityBCDC in DRC recording strong growth in deposits and loans. Overall, regional arms contributed nearly half of total assets, loans, and PBT.
Equity’s non-banking units insurance, investment banking, and fintech showed strong performance. The insurance business grew PBT by 27 percent, while the investment bank recorded a 142 percent increase in profitability.
The Group also announced plans to acquire a health insurance license to enhance its product suite.Digital transformation remained central, with 87 percent of transactions processed through digital channels.
Mobile and online platforms registered substantial growth in both transaction volumes and values, while merchant platform Pay With Equity processed over Kshs 567 billion.
The Group advanced its Africa Recovery and Resilience Plan (ARRP), supported by strategic partnerships with AfDB, Microsoft, Mastercard, and others to empower MSMEs and digitize agriculture.
Environmental and social programs also made strides, with over 35 million trees planted, 494,000 clean energy products distributed, and 3.66 million healthcare visits recorded across 134 Equity Afia clinics.
Capping a stellar quarter, Equity Bank scooped 16 awards at the Think Business Banking Awards, including CEO of the Year and top honors in SME Banking, Financial Literacy, and Sustainability, reinforcing its leadership in inclusive finance and economic empowerment.
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