Equity bank was named the best regional bank in East Africa at the 2025 African Banker awards.
The accolade, which was announced during the awards ceremony held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, recognized the bank’s significant contributions to financial inclusion, socio-economic transformation and regional economic growth.
The award highlights Equity bank’s impactful presence across East and Central Africa, driven by its customer- centric innovation, purpose-led approach, and unwavering support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The bank’s regional influence is also a testament to its strategic expansion and commitment to fostering sustainable development within the continent. While giving his remarks, Dr James Mwangi, the managing director and CEO of Equity Group, expressed his pride and gratitude following the award.
“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,” he said.
He added: “It validates our regional expansion model and highlights the importance of our Africa Recovery and Resilience Plan, which aims to build inclusive, sustainable and resilient economies across the continent by supporting key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, mining, health, education and clean energy.”
The African Banker awards, in their 19th year, celebrate excellence and innovation in African banking, supported by notable partners including the African Development Bank and the African Guarantee Fund.
The awards serve to acknowledge institutions and leaders whose efforts have significantly advanced Africa’s financial landscape over the past year. Omar Ben Yedder, the chairperson of the Awards Committee, emphasized the vital role played by African-owned banks in national development.
“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 banks like Equity are critical to advancing development and economic independence on the continent,” he said during the ceremony.
Equity bank’s recognition affirms its influence in deepening financial inclusion across East Africa. It has established a formidable footprint with more than 22.4 million customers served through a robust network of 402 branches, 85,827 agents, and extensive digital banking platforms.
The bank’s innovative initiatives, including 1.1 million Pay with Equity merchants, 37,825 POS merchants, and 896 ATMs, have made banking accessible and convenient for millions. Equity’s strong brand presence has also earned international acclaim. The bank was ranked the second strongest financial brand on earth in 2024 by Brand Finance.