Equity Group Holdings & KCB Group Dominate Kenya’s H1 2026 Banking Results

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Equity Group Holdings & KCB Group Dominate Kenya’s H1 2026 Banking Results

1. Kenya’s H1 2026 Banking Results

It was a busy season as Kenya’s listed banks wrapped up their H1 2026 Banking Results financial reporting. The 12 banks collectively reported Ksh 159.5 Bn in post tax profits attributable to shareholders . Notably, Equity is the most profitable & most diversified while KCB is the biggest in terms of asset base & shareholders funds.

DTB remains the cheapest in terms of book value

2. Kenya Listed Banks H1 2026

It is true Equity and KCB dominated the industry by most metrics, but it was interesting to note that the fastest growths came from the Tier 2 banks, HFCB and the recently listed Family Bank.

The Fastest Growths came from the Tier 2 banks, HFCB and the recently listed Family Bank

3. Abojani Spotlight: Kenya Re & Equity

On the exchange, investors sat tight as several stocks traded at their all time highs amid heightened investor confidence. Kenya Re and Equity carried the day.

Kenya Reinsurance Corporation share price has today hit a new all-time high of Ksh 4.36 trading at the Nairobi Securities Exchange
Abojani Spotlight Kenya Reinsurance Corporation share price has today hit a new all-time high of Ksh 4.36 at NSE

4. NCBA Group PLC Majority Stake Aquisition

The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) officially approved South Africa’s Nedbank Group Limited to acquire up to a 66% majority stake in NCBA Group PLC. This strategic acquisition, aims to enhance competition, bolster the resilience of the Kenyan banking sector, and drive continued financial stability across East Africa.

The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) officially approved South Africa’s Nedbank Group Limited to acquire up to a 66pc majority stake in NCBA Group PLC

5. T-Bills Auction, the Central Bank of Kenya

In this week’s T-Bills auction, the Central Bank of Kenya secured a massive oversubscription that was heavily skewed toward its shortest-term maturity.

The regulator sought to raise a combined Ksh 28 Bn across three tenors but ultimately accepted Ksh 51.02 Bn in total bids, with the 91-day paper as the primary driver by raking in Ksh 29.2 Bn alone.

Yields on the government securities remained firmly in single-digit territory, with the 91-day, 182-day, and 364-day Treasury bills locking in average interest rates of 8.77%, 8.93 %, and 9.07 % respectively.

Central Bank of Kenya secured a massive oversubscription that was heavily skewed toward its shortest-term maturity

6. August Kenya’s Overall Inflation Rate

Kenya’s overall inflation rate accelerated slightly to 6.6% for August 2026, up from the 6.5% recorded in July. The upward pressure was heavily driven by non-core items, where erratic food prices saw the cost of Irish potatoes spike by 32.7%  and tomatoes jump by 29.3%, alongside steep increases in fuel costs like diesel and petrol.

Conversely, core inflation remained relatively muted at 3.4%, anchored by minor shifts in domestic staples such as packeted cow milk and white rice.

Kenya's overall inflation rate accelerated slightly to 6.6pc for August 2026, up from the 6.5pc recorded in July

7. Venture Capital Funding, Kenyan Startups

In other news, Kenyan startups raised KSh16.3 billion in the first half of 2026, down from KSh17 billion a year earlier, highlighting a slowdown in venture funding. Industry leaders are now calling for stronger links between startups, investment banks and local institutional capital to unlock more funding.

The call was made at the 10th EAVCA Annual Private Wealth Conference, which focused on deepening East Africa’s domestic investment ecosystem.

Kenyan startups raised KSh16.3 billion in the first half of 2026, down from KSh17 billion a year earlier, highlighting a slowdown in venture funding

8. CFAO Mobility Kenya

CFAO Mobility Kenya as been unveiled as the official mobility partner of the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon, committing KSh 2 million and a fleet of eight vehicles to support this year’s race.

  • The fleet will include Toyota, Suzuki, Yamaha and BYD vehicles, including the Toyota BZ4X electric vehicle and BYD Shark plug-in hybrid.
CFAO Mobility Kenya has been unveiled as the official mobility partner of the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon

9. The National carrier, Kenya Airways

KQ has announced the resignation of its Acting Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Captain George Kamal, who is stepping down for personal reasons.

National carrier, Kenya Airways, announced the resignation of its Acting Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Captain George Kamal

The airline’s board has appointed the current Company Secretary and Director of Legal Services, Habil Waswani, to take over the role in an acting capacity effective September 15, 2026.

KQ Company Secretary and Director of Legal Services, Habil Waswani appointed to take over the role in an acting capacity effective September 15, 2026

10. Offshore Webinar on Opportunities and ETFs

The highlight of the week was our latest Offshore Webinar, featuring Webull Securities South Africa CEO, Ricardo da Silva.

The highlight of the week was our latest Offshore Webinar, featuring Webull Securities South Africa CEO, Ricardo da Silva.

The highlight of the week was our latest Offshore Webinar, featuring Webull Securities South Africa CEO, Ricardo da Silva, Catch the Recording

Catch the recording here to learn more about offshore opportunities and ETFs

“Ownership Economy: Investing in Offshore Stocks and ETFs”

Coming Up, the Much Anticipated…

🪙 #BankingSector Analysis X-Space, 9th Sep 2026

HY 2026 Banking Sector Analysis X Space 9th September 2026

We are ready to crunch down the numbers and make sense of what has happened in the first half of the year, as well as what it means for investors.

🪙The 6th Abojani Economic Empowerment Conference

Plans are underway for the 6th Abojani Economic Empowerment Conference. The event, which will take place on 21st November at Radisson Blu in Upper Hill, will bring together investors, professionals and thought leaders to discuss the theme: Investing Intelligently.

Mark the Date Here!

6th Abojani Economic Empowerment Conference, scheduled for 21st November 2026 at Radisson Blu, Upper Hill, under the theme Investing Intelligently.

🪙 The 81st Abojani Masterclass

And in closing, we are happy to announce that the 81st Abojani Masterclass is set to begin tomorrow from 7pm sharp.  Last minute registrations are still ongoing. We look forward to an informative and inspirational Masterclass.

Book Closing Seats

BLOG The Abojani 81st Abojani Personal Finance & Investment Masterclass runs from 7th to 25th September 2026
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