Equity Bank has retained its position as Kenya’s most valuable brand for the third consecutive year, underscoring its continued dominance in the country’s financial sector and its growing regional influence.
According to the latest Brand Finance Kenya 25 2026 report, released Thursday, Equity Bank’s brand value rose by 4 per cent to KES73.9 billion, supported by strong financial performance, steady revenue growth, and an expanding asset base approaching KES2 trillion. The lender’s sustained growth reflects its aggressive regional expansion and positioning as a digital-first financial institution.
The ranking comes on the back of a strong year for Kenya’s banking sector, which continues to dominate the country’s brand landscape. Banks account for 56 per cent of the total brand value, equivalent to KES196 billion, with seven lenders featuring in the top 25 and six securing positions in the top 10.
Brand Finance East Africa Regional Manager Walter Serem said the results highlight the increasing importance of scale, financial performance, and innovation in building strong brands.
“Kenya’s brand landscape in 2026 reflects a market that is becoming increasingly competitive, resilient, and strategically diversified. The continued strength of the banking sector, led by Equity Bank, highlights the importance of scale, financial performance, and regional expansion in driving brand value,” he said.
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Kenya Commercial Bank ranked second, with its brand value increasing by 9 per cent to KES59.7 billion. The lender’s rise was largely driven by a record-breaking profit after tax of KES55.9 billion in the 2024 financial year—the highest ever reported in Kenya’s banking history.
Safaricom dropped to third place, with its brand value declining by 4 per cent to KES55.7 billion. The telco’s performance was affected by regulatory scrutiny in its mobile money business and delays in rolling out commercial 5G services. Its expansion into Ethiopia also weighed on performance due to higher-than-expected operating costs, although its core Kenyan business remains resilient.
Overall, the total brand value of Kenya’s top 25 brands rose by 3 per cent to KES349 billion, reflecting a stable and steadily growing business environment.
In the wider rankings, CIC Insurance Group emerged as the fastest-growing brand, recording a 28 per cent increase in brand value to KES3.3 billion, driven by increased demand for insurance products and regional expansion.
Tusker retained its position as the strongest brand in the country followed closely by Equity Bank.
Other top-ranked brands include Co-operative Bank, NCBA, Kenya Power, I&M and Diamond Trust Bank, further cementing the dominance of financial institutions in Kenya’s corporate landscape.
The latest rankings reinforce Equity Bank’s position not just as a market leader, but as a key driver of financial inclusion and innovation, as competition intensifies across Kenya’s evolving business environment.
