Africa-Press – Uganda. Equity Group has reported a 17% rise in profit after tax for the first half of 2025, reaching KSh34.6 billion from KSh29.6 billion in the same period last year. The bank posted its highest-ever quarterly profit before tax in Q2, at KSh22.9 billion, compared to a four-year quarterly average of KSh14.8 billion.
Net interest income grew by 9% as interest expenses fell 18%, while loan loss provisions dropped by 34%, helping reduce total costs by 2%.
The group’s loan book expanded by 4% to KSh825.1 billion, customer deposits increased by 2% to KSh1.32 trillion, and total assets rose by 3% to KSh1.8 trillion.
Regional Performance
Subsidiaries outside Kenya contributed nearly half of deposits, loans, and revenue. Profit after tax grew by 40% in both Uganda (to KSh1.9 billion) and Kenya (to KSh19.5 billion), 75% in Tanzania (to KSh1.1 billion), 22% in the Democratic Republic of Congo (to KSh9.1 billion), and assets in Rwanda increased by 21%.
Insurance Business
The group’s insurance arm recorded 27% growth in profit after tax to KSh660 million. Gross written premiums rose by 115% to KSh5.18 billion, while total assets increased by 40% to KSh31.48 billion.
Non-Performing Loans
The Group’s non-performing loan ratio stood at 13.7% in H1 2025, down from a peak of 14% in Q1 but still higher than the 12.9% recorded in H1 2024. This remains below Kenya’s industry average of 17.6%. The cost of risk fell from 2.6% to 1.7%.
Technology and Operations
Equity reported that 98% of transactions now occur outside branches, with 87.4% conducted via digital channels.
Social and Sustainability Initiatives
Through the Equity Group Foundation, the lender invested $715 million in social programs, including scholarships, entrepreneurship training, clean energy distribution, and tree planting.
The bank also disbursed KSh363.09 billion to over 350,000 MSMEs and expanded its Equity Afia clinic network to 139 facilities.
Equity Bank was named “Best Regional Bank in East Africa” at the African Banker Awards 2025 and retained its position as Kenya’s most valuable brand for the second consecutive year.
For More News And Analysis About Uganda Follow Africa-Press
