From L-R: EquityBCDC Ag. Managing Director, Willy Mulamba, Equity Group Managing Director and CEO, Dr. James Mwangi and Equity Bank Kenya Managing Director, Moses Nyabanda, during the Quarter One 2025 Investor Briefing event
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I Equity Group has achieved strong results and growth of its diversified business across the region, becoming a regional systemic financial services provider in Kenya, DRC, and Rwanda.
While releasing the Q1 2025 results, Dr. James Mwangi, Equity Group Holdings Plc Managing Director, and CEO said, “We are proud of the resilience demonstrated by the Group amidst a challenging global economic landscape, where our financial strength provides the flexibility to seize opportunities as the regional economy presents diversified levers for growth.”
He said the Group registered a 7% year-on-year surge in customer deposits to Kshs. 1.32 trillion from Kshs 1.24 trillion, fueling a strategic expansion of net loans by 3% year-on-year to Kshs 804.7 billion from Kshs 779.2 billion.
“With total assets growing by 4% year-on-year to Kshs 1.75 trillion from Kshs 1.69 trillion, we demonstrated continued stability and capacity to drive economic transformation,” reads part of the statement.
It added that the solid financial foundation has enabled the Group to deliver strong profitability, achieving a Return on Equity (ROAE) of 23.9% and a Return on Assets (ROA) of 3.5%, and reporting a Profit After Tax (PAT) of Kshs 15.4 billion.
“This is a result of our diversified business model and prudent financial stewardship. Excluding South Sudan non-operational inflation accounting, profit before tax reflected an 8% growth from Kshs 17.3 billion to Kshs 18.8 billion,” said the group.
Equity Group has adopted a tri-engine approach, integrating commercial, social, and sustainability priorities to foster sustainable economic growth and create meaningful societal impact.
Kenyan banking subsidiary
The Kenya subsidiary has shown recovery registering 7% growth in deposits to Kshs.792.7 billion, total revenue up 19%, non-funded income increased by 23% to Kshs.7.57 billion which resulted to a 50% increase in profit before tax.
Kenya’s return on asset and equity improved to 3.4% and 26.0% respectively.
“The Kenyan banking subsidiary, while still a major contributor, accounted for 51% of total revenue. The Group’s regional subsidiaries continue to be strong contributors to our growth trajectory,” further says the statement, adding that Equity bank Tanzania’s recovery momentum continues to manifest itself with deposits increasing by 14% and loans by 9% year on year.
“Profit before tax increased by 540%, positively impacting returns with return on assets and return on equity at 3.2% and 22.6% respectively.”
EquityBCDC plays a pivotal role in anchoring the Group’s Africa Recovery and Resilience Plan (ARRP), with a strong performance in DRC that saw 9% year on year growth in customer loans to Kshs 252.1 billion and 8% in deposits to Kshs. 468.4 billion.
From L-R: Equity Group Foundation Director Operations, Dr. Joanne Korir, Equity Group Managing Director and CEO, Dr. James Mwangi and Equity Bank South Sudan Ag. Managing Director, James Kiarie during the Quarter One 2025 Investor Briefing event
“The subsidiary is instrumental in financing priority sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and MSMEs,” further reads the statement. Adding that regional subsidiaries accounted for 47% of total assets, 48% of net loans, and 45% of profit before tax, with key markets including DRC Tanzania and Rwanda, showing growth in deposits and loans.
This regional performance reinforces Equity’s strategic positioning as a cross-border financial powerhouse and underpins its growing footprint across East and Central Africa.
Mwangi said that this, coupled with the strength of their regional and non-banking subsidiaries, positions them to continue delivering sustainable growth and creating long-term value for their customers, communities, and shareholders.
“This is supported by our strong liquidity and total capital positions of 58.5% and 18.3% respectively,” said Mwangi.
Payment platforms flourish
Meanwhile, Pay With Equity (PWE), the Group’s interoperable merchant and payments platform, processed Kshs. 567.6 billion up from Kshs. 487.5 billion across more than 1.1 million merchants, further entrenching Equity’s position in retail and enterprise payments.
On the other hand, ONE Equity, the Group’s integrated digital platform, allows customers to access a wide range of products and services across various digital channels under a single umbrella, enhancing cross-selling, offering greater customer choice, and deepening engagement.
Equity Group continued to deliver significant social impact across the region, reinforcing its commitment to inclusive development, said officials.
Under the Equity Leaders Program (ELP), the Group has now supported 29,515 scholars, with 113 currently pursuing full scholarships in top global universities, and over 970 alumni having studied at 233 universities across 37 countries.
Additionally, 750 scholars were admitted into the pre-university internship program this year, with a cumulative 9,700 paid internships and 3,979 TVET scholars supported to date, building a pipeline of empowered African leaders.
On the climate front, the Group has planted over 35 million trees and facilitated the distribution of 494,543 clean energy products, contributing to nature restoration and clean energy adoption.
With over $200 million extended in climate finance, the Group continues to support businesses and communities in building climate resilience. Equity’s leadership in sustainability has earned global recognition from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) as the financial institution with the highest number of climate-related transactions globally.
Through the Young Africa Works program, Equity has disbursed Kshs 353 billion to 350,149 MSMEs, with 2.49 million women and youth receiving financial education and 653,372 MSMEs trained in entrepreneurship.
The Group’s social protection programs have reached 5.82 million people, disbursing Kshs 167.8 billion in cash transfers. Meanwhile, Equity Afia Clinics have recorded 3.66 million cumulative patient visits across 134 facilities, contributing to improved access to quality and affordable healthcare.
