Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire | July 15, 2025 — Equity Bank has been awarded “Best Regional Bank in East Africa” at the 2025 African Banker Awards , held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The award recognizes Equity’s leadership in driving financial inclusion, empowering communities, and championing socio-economic transformation across East Africa.
Organized by African Banker Magazine in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the African Guarantee Fund , the African Banker Awards celebrate excellence and innovation in African banking.
Now in their 19th year, the awards have become the continent’s most prestigious platform for recognizing financial institutions making a tangible impact.
This latest accolade cements Equity’s reputation as a purpose-driven financial institution at the forefront of transforming lives and livelihoods. With operations in six key African markets— Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)—and a representative office in Ethiopia, Equity serves over 22 million customers across the region.
“We are deeply honoured by this recognition. This award is a testament to our commitment to delivering transformative financial services that empower individuals, businesses, and communities across East and Central Africa,” said Dr. James Mwangi , Managing Director and CEO of Equity Group Holdings Plc.
“It validates our regional expansion model and is aligned with our Africa Recovery and Resilience Plan, which seeks to build inclusive, sustainable, and resilient economies by supporting sectors that drive growth—particularly agriculture, manufacturing, mining, MSMEs, health, education, and clean energy .”
During the ceremony, Omar Ben Yedder , Chair of the African Banker Awards Committee, highlighted the critical role African financial institutions play in shaping the continent’s future:
“Thomas Sankara once said, ‘The ones who feed you, rule you.’ In today’s context, we might say, ‘The ones who finance you, empower you.’ Strong African-owned banks are critical to scaling development—and banks like Equity are at the forefront of that mission.”
Equity Group’s approach, underpinned by innovation, inclusive growth, and sustainability, has seen it evolve beyond traditional banking. Its Africa Recovery and Resilience Plan aims to leverage private sector investments in partnership with public institutions to catalyze national economic development. The Bank’s integrated model supports critical sectors through a blend of digital banking, development financing, and community empowerment .
Equity Group’s Achievements at a Glance:
Over 22 million customers across 6 countries
402 branches, 85,827 agents, 896 ATMs, and over 1.1 million PWE merchants
Recognized by Brand Finance as the Second Strongest Financial Brand in the World (2024)
Rated AAA+ brand strength with a 92.5/100 Brand Strength Index
Market capitalization of USD 1.37 Billion
Asset base of USD 13.5 Billion
The Group’s achievements highlight not only its scale and reach but also its commitment to democratizing access to finance and creating shared prosperity for communities across Africa.
For more information about the African Banker Awards, visit: [www.AfricanBankerAwards.com]
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About Equity Group Holdings Plc
Equity Group Holdings Plc is a leading Pan-African financial services provider listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange, Uganda Securities Exchange, and Rwanda Stock Exchange.
It operates subsidiaries in Kenya, DRC, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, and maintains a Commercial Representative Office in Ethiopia. Its portfolio spans banking, insurance, fintech, telecom, investment banking, and impact investing .
