Kenya’s microfinance banks’ total assets over the years have ranged from KSh 57.0B to KSh 76.4B (2014–2024), standing at KSh 57.9B in 2024

  • Kenya’s microfinance assets grew by just 1.62% between 2014 and 2024.
  • The sector peaked in 2019 at KSh 76.4B, before entering a steady decline.
  • 2023 (-8.8%) and 2024 (-9.8%) posted the steepest year-on-year declines.
  • The sector recorded only two notable growth spikes: 2015 (+21.9%) and 2019 (+7.9%).
  • Overall, the trend from 2020 onward shows persistent contraction in asset value.

Kenya’s microfinance sector assets have shown only 1.62% growth over the past 10 years. In 2014, the sector’s assets were valued at KSh 57.0B, and by 2024, they had barely moved to KSh 57.9B.

At their peak in 2019, microfinance banks held KSh 76.4B in assets, but since then, the sector has been on a downward trend, shedding value year after year. The sharpest declines were observed in 2023 (-8.8%) and 2024 (-9.8%), erasing much of the growth achieved in earlier years.

Source:

Central Bank of Kenya

Period:

2014-2024
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After years of growth, Kenyan banks’ asset value declined by 1.6% to KSh 7.6T in 2024
  • Kenyan banks’ total assets grew by 56.6% between 2019 and 2024.
  • In 2024, assets declined slightly by 1.6%, the first drop in five years.
  • The sector recorded consistent growth from 2019 to 2023 before dipping in 2024.
  • The highest growth came in 2023, when assets surged 17.6% to KSh 7.7T.
  • Assets rose from KSh 4.8T in 2019 to KSh 7.6T in 2024.
  • Despite the 2024 dip, banks added nearly KSh 3 trillion in assets over the five years.

Kenyan banks' PBT grew 62.8% over five years, from KSh 159.9B to KSh 260.3B
  • Kenyan banks’ Profit-Before-Tax (PBT) grew by 62.8% between 2019 and 2024.
  • Total PBT rose from KSh 159.9B in 2019 to KSh 260.3B in 2024.
  • The lowest point was in 2020, when profits dropped to KSh 112.8B, a 29.5% decline.
  • Banks recorded their strongest recovery in 2021 with a 73.2% increase in PBT.

Kenya’s mobile banking fraud in 2024 exposed KES 981.7 billion, leading to losses of KES 810.7 billion
  • Kenya’s total fraud exposure in 2024 hit KES 2.0T, with KES 1.6T actually lost.
  • Mobile banking fraud was the largest contributor, with KES 981.7B exposed and KES 810.7B lost.
  • Mobile banking had an 82.6% loss rate, making it one of the riskiest fraud channels.
  • Computer fraud and internet scams recorded 100% loss rates, showing no funds were recovered.
  • Identity theft saw 97.9% of exposed amounts lost, translating to KES 199.1B.
  • Card fraud had a lower loss rate (59.9%) but still cost banks and customers KES 263.3B.

Kenya's local banks such as Equity Group (17% growth) recorded strong profit growth, while foreign-owned banks struggled
  • Equity Group was the most profitable bank on the list with $268M in H1 2025.
  • KCB followed closely with $250M in profits, supported by 8% YoY growth.
  • I&M Group achieved the fastest growth rate of 36%, despite a smaller base of $63 million.
  • Standard Chartered’s profits fell by 21%, highlighting the struggles of foreign banks.
  • Stanbic Holdings also declined by 9%, contrasting with local banks’ upward trend.

Mobile banking fraud cases increased by 87.2% to 146, the highest in 2024
  • Total fraud cases in Kenyan banks rose from 173 in 2023 to 353 in 2024.
  • Mobile banking fraud cases jumped by 87.2% to 146, making it the most common fraud type.
  • Online banking fraud recorded the steepest rise, growing by 457.9% to 106 cases.
  • Identity theft increased by 51.4%, reaching 56 reported cases in 2024.
  • Internet scams increased by 28.6%, totalling 9 cases in 2024.

With 146 cases, mobile banking fraud resulted in the highest loss of KES 810.7B
  • Kenya recorded 353 fraud cases in 2024, totalling KES 1.6T in losses.
  • Mobile banking fraud, with 146 cases, was the biggest threat, causing KES 810.7B in losses.
  • Card fraud had only 24 cases but resulted in KES 263.3B lost, showing its high risk. Computer fraud recorded 12 cases, leading to KES 203.4B in damages.
  • Identity theft saw 56 cases, costing banks and customers KES 199.1B.
  • Online banking fraud was the second most frequent (106 cases), but losses were relatively lower at KES 111.8B.
  • Internet scams had the fewest cases (9) but still caused KES 6.1B in losses.

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