Equity named overall best bank in Kenya at 2026 Think Business Banking Awards

Equity Bank has been named the Overall Best Bank in Kenya at the 2026 Think Business Banking Awards, reaffirming its leadership and resilience in the country’s financial sector.

The recognition was announced during the awards ceremony held in Nairobi on Friday under the theme “Building a strong, well-capitalised and fairly priced banks,” bringing together key stakeholders across the banking industry.

The Bank’s dominance was reflected in its performance across categories, where it emerged top in 10 categories and ranked second in two others.

Equity Group Managing Director and CEO James Mwangi was named Overall CEO of the Year, underscoring his leadership in driving the Group’s strategic growth and impact.

Commenting on the Bank’s recognition, Dr. James Mwangi said the awards reflect the institution’s long-standing commitment to inclusive growth, innovation, and customer-centricity.

“This recognition as the Overall Best Bank in Kenya reflects years of deliberate investment in building a resilient, inclusive and future-ready financial institution. It speaks to the strength of our business model, which integrates financial innovation with deep customer understanding, allowing us to serve millions across all segments of the economy while maintaining sustainability and scale.”

He added: “As we navigate a rapidly evolving banking landscape, we remain focused on strengthening capital efficiency, expanding access to credit for productive sectors, and leveraging technology to deliver differentiated value to our customers and communities.”

The Bank also recorded outstanding performance across multiple categories. It was named Best Bank in Retail Banking and Product Innovation categories, alongside receiving a Special Judges Award for Product Innovation.

Equity Bank further ranked first in Agriculture and Livestock Financing as well as Asset Financing, reinforcing its commitment to supporting key economic sectors including farming, agribusiness and enterprise development.

It was also recognised as the Best Commercial Bank in Microfinance, reflecting its role in advancing financial inclusion among micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and underserved communities.

On sustainability, Equity Bank was ranked first in Best Bank in Sustainable Corporate Social Responsibility, driven by impactful community programs implemented through Equity Group Foundation.

In trade financing and Best Bank in Tier One categories, the Bank ranked second.

Speaking during the ceremony, Chief Judge Priscillah Mogaka emphasised the rigor and independence of the evaluation process, noting that the results reflected a transparent and evidence-based assessment of the banking sector.

“We assessed 160 entries against a rigorous 100-point framework, looking at both quantitative data such as financial ratios and qualitative factors including governance and innovation. This ensured that only the most deserving institutions emerged as winners,” she said.

She added that the 2026 awards reflect a banking sector that is increasingly resilient, digitally progressive and responsive to evolving customer needs.

The Think Business Banking Awards evaluate lenders across a wide range of indicators, including financial performance, innovation, risk management and customer focus, at a time when the sector faces mounting pressure to balance growth with stability and affordability.