Equity Bank has been named Overall Best Bank in Kenya at the Think Business Banking Awards, underlining its continued influence in the country’s financial sector.
The awards ceremony, held in Nairobi, brought together industry leaders to recognise excellence in performance, innovation and financial stability. The 2026 event was held under the theme of building strong, well-capitalised and fairly priced banks.
Equity Bank stood out with a strong performance across multiple segments. It won 10 categories and placed second in two others, reflecting its reach in retail, commercial and development banking.
The bank’s group managing director and chief executive, Dr James Mwangi, was named Overall CEO of the Year. Judges cited his leadership in expanding financial inclusion, driving innovation and sustaining growth across the region.
Dr Mwangi said the award reflects long-term investment in building a resilient and inclusive institution. He added that the bank will continue to focus on improving capital efficiency, expanding access to credit and using technology to enhance customer experience.
Equity Bank also performed strongly in agriculture and asset financing, reinforcing its role in supporting farmers, agribusinesses and small enterprises. Its recognition in microfinance further highlighted its focus on serving micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as underserved communities.
In sustainability, the bank ranked top in corporate social responsibility, driven largely by programmes implemented through the Equity Group Foundation.
It also secured second place in both trade finance and Tier One banking categories.
Chief judge Priscillah Mogaka said the evaluation process was rigorous and transparent. A total of 160 entries were assessed using a 100-point framework that considered financial results alongside governance, innovation and customer impact.
She said this year’s awards reflect a banking sector that is becoming more digital, resilient and customer-focused.
The Think Business Banking Awards evaluate institutions on performance, risk management, innovation and service delivery, at a time when banks are balancing growth with financial stability.
Equity Group remains one of the largest financial institutions in the region, with operations across several African countries and an expanding digital footprint.
