United Bank of Africa (UK), British International Investment Expand Trade Finance for African Businesses
UBA UK and British International Investment plan to expand trade finance for African businesses through a new collaboration targeting persistent funding gaps. The initiative aims to mobilize capital for underserved markets, though structural constraints may limit its reach.
I&M Bank and Sida’s USD 30 Million Partnership Set to Expand Green Lending in Kenya
The partnership, formalized at a signing ceremony in Nairobi, centres on a USD 15 million guarantee from Sida, with a coverage of eight years and a 50 percent risk-sharing structure.
Bank of Tanzania Joins Africa Finance Corporation as Equity Shareholder
The Bank of Tanzania has made an equity investment in infrastructure solutions provider Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), becoming a sovereign shareholder.
Co-op Posts Record KSh 29.75 Bn Profit as Funding Costs Decline
Co-operative Bank of Kenya Group reported a record net profit of KSh 29.75 Bn for the full year ended 31 December 2025, up 16.9% from KSh 25.46 Bn. Net interest income surged 22.0% to KSh 62.85 Bn as interest expenses fell 12.8% to KSh 30.29 Bn. Total assets crossed KSh 827 Bn, customer deposits grew 13.4% to KSh 574.17 Bn, and net loans expanded 12.6% to KSh 421.00 Bn. The cost-to-income ratio improved to 56.6%. The board declared a total dividend of KSh 2.50 per share, up 66.7% from KSh 1.50.
Zenith Bank Targets London Listing to Drive Global Expansion
Zenith Bank Plc is planning a 2027 listing on the London Stock Exchange to expand access to international capital and support its growing cross-border operations. The move follows regulatory recapitalization in Nigeria and aligns with a broader strategy to scale global business, particularly in trade and investment flows.Equity Group Posts Record KSh 75.5 Bn Profit, Tops East and Central Africa
Equity Group posted record FY2025 earnings, with profit after tax rising 55% to KSh75.5 billion, driven by strong revenue growth, improved efficiency, and expanding regional contributions.StanChart Kenya Earnings Fall to KSh 12.4 Bn as 16-Year Pension Dispute Hits Bottom Line
Standard Chartered Bank Kenya reported a 38.0% decline in profit after tax to 12.44 Bn for the year ended 31 December 2025, the third-highest result in the bank's history. Total operating income fell 16.5% to 42.30 Bn as net interest income dropped 13.2% and forex income collapsed 58.6%. A one-off 2.6 Bn pension past service cost from a 16-year dispute with 629 former employees pushed reported expenses up 13.3%. The NPL ratio improved 200 basis points to 5.4%. Total DPS of 31.00 was declared at a record 95% payout ratio.Ethiopia's Banking Sector Posts Strongest Year on Record With Double-Digit Capital Growth
Ethiopian commercial banking posted its best performance across every major indicator for the fiscal year ended June 2025, per the NBE Financial Stability Report. ▸ Net income: ETB 93.4 Bn (+61.3%), the largest profit in the sector's history ▸ NPL ratio: 3.1%, five-year low. Liquidity: 30.4%, five-year high ▸ Total assets: ETB 4.7 Tn (+44.5%), deposits: ETB 3.5 Tn (+40.7%) ▸ Banking Business Proclamation 1360/2025 opens the sector to foreign lendersRwanda Authorities Probe Equity Bank Fraud Scheme
Equity Bank Rwanda is at the center of an ongoing investigation into a fraud incident that has prompted the detention of 35 individuals, including six in Uganda.SBM Bank Kenya Ends Two-Year Loss Streak With KSh 444Mn Profit
SBM Bank Kenya swung to a 444.22Mn after-tax profit for the full year ended 31 December 2025, reversing a 1.21Bn loss in 2024. The turnaround was driven by a 19.6% fall in interest expense to 6.86Bn, which pushed net interest income up 80.7% to 3.88Bn. Customer deposits rose 20.1% to 82.41Bn as the bank reduced reliance on costly interbank funding. Gross non-performing loans fell 34.1% to 11.29Bn. Total assets grew 5.5% to 105.72Bn.Centum Investments Exits Sidian Bank After 22 Years
Centum Investment Company has completed the sale of its remaining 50% stake in Bakki Holdco Limited, ending its 22-year investment in Sidian Bank. The exit follows six transactions between October 2023 and March 2026, recovering an estimated 5.2 billion shillings against a total entry cost of 4.7 billion shillings. The divestiture included a failed 4.3 billion shilling deal with Nigeria's Access Bank in 2022, before Centum shifted to piecemeal sales. The final exit comes as Sidian, reclassified as a medium-tier lender by the CBK in September 2025, posted a nine-month profit of 1.4 billion shillings.KCB Posts Record KSh 68.35Bn 2025 Profit as Dividend Hits KSh 7 Per Share
KCB Group posted record profit after tax of 68.35 Bn in FY2025, up 10.6% from 61.77 Bn, driven by an 18.9% collapse in interest expense that lifted net interest income 7.8% to 148.02 Bn. The bank declared a full-year dividend of KSh 7.00 per share, up 133.3% and the largest total payout of 22.50 Bn in its history. Net loans crossed 1 trillion for the first time. The gross NPL ratio improved to 16.9% from 19.2%. KCB guides for loan growth of 10% to 11% and NIMs of 7.2% to 7.8% in FY2026.
