Equity Bank has been named the Best Bank in East Africa at the 2025 African Banker Awards, a recognition of its outstanding contributions to financial inclusion and economic development across the region.
The prestigious award was handed to Equity Bank on July 15, 2025, during the 19th edition of the annual ceremony held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Sponsored by the African Development Bank, the African Banker Awards celebrate excellence and leadership in Africa’s financial services sector.
Equity Bank stood out for its transformative approach to delivering financial services that empower individuals, small businesses, farmers, and key industries. The bank’s strategic focus on supporting grassroots economic activity and scaling inclusive banking services across the East African Community played a central role in securing the accolade.
James Mwangi, CEO of Equity Group Holdings, the parent company of Equity Bank, welcomed the award as a powerful affirmation of the institution’s mission.
“This recognition energizes us. Our focus on micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), agriculture, and industrial growth is not just building individual livelihoods—it’s strengthening entire economies,” Mwangi said.
Omar Ben Yedder, Chair of the Awards Committee, emphasized the symbolic and practical significance of empowering African-owned financial institutions.
“As Thomas Sankara once said, ‘He who feeds you controls you.’ Today, we say, ‘He who funds you gives you power.’ African-owned banks are critical to our continent’s autonomy and progress,” he noted.
Other regional winners included GT Bank (West Africa), BGFI Bank Group (Central Africa), and Commercial International Bank (North Africa). The title of African Bank of the Year went to Trade and Development Bank Group, which operates across Eastern and Southern Africa.
In the individual leadership categories, Morocco’s Finance Minister Nadia Fettah Alaoui and Olayemi Cardoso, Governor of Nigeria’s Central Bank, were recognized for their pivotal roles in advancing Africa’s financial systems. The Banker of the Year award went to Patricia Ojangole of Uganda Development Bank, honoring her visionary leadership in development finance.
This year’s edition reinforced the growing stature and influence of African-led financial institutions in shaping the continent’s economic future.
