Why Equity Bank has been named overall best bank
Business
By
James Wanzala
| Apr 27, 2026
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 bank,” bringing together key stakeholders across the banking industry.
The bank’s dominance was reflected in its performance across categories, where it emerged at the 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 recognition, Dr. James Mwangi said the awards reflect the institution’s long-standing commitment to inclusive growth, innovation, and customer-centricity.
READ MORE
We can bridge seed access in the face of global disruptions
CHAN rip-off: How weeks-old insurance firm pocketed Sh42 million
Families seek justice over Ishiara killings as anger mounts
KMPDU raises alarm over security and staffing at Ishiara hospital
Young learners display on stage key CBE pillars principles
IG orders recall of Ishiara OCS over Embu protest killings
Opposition leaders accuse Ruto of hiking fuel prices for personal gain
'They attacked us, we shot them,' police say after Embu protest deaths
How fuel deal fallout has triggered Sh3.2b loss for supplier
Authorities probe deaths of two protesters in Ishiara unrest
“This recognition as the Overall Best Bank in Kenya reflects years of deliberate investment in building a resilient, inclusive, and future-ready financial institution," said Dr Mwamgi.
He added: "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.”
Dr Mwangi said as they navigate a rapidly evolving banking landscape, they 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 the trade financing and Best Bank in Tier One categories, the bank ranked second.
Speaking during the ceremony, Chief Judge Priscillah Mogaka emphasised the rigour 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.
Ms Mogaka 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.