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.

Kenyan banks have shown remarkable resilience over the past five years, with their total Profit-Before-Tax (PBT) growing by 62.8%, rising from KSh 159.9 billion in 2019 to KSh 260.3 billion in 2024. This growth reflects the sector’s ability to recover from shocks, adapt to changing market conditions, and maintain profitability despite periods of volatility. While the trend has not been consistently upward year-on-year, the overall trajectory underscores the strength of the banking industry.

The sharpest drop came in 2020, when PBT fell by 29.5% to KSh 112.8 billion. This period coincided with the economic disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, by 2021, banks bounced back strongly, recording a 73.2% increase in profits, signalling recovery and renewed market confidence. This rebound illustrates how external shocks may slow growth temporarily, but do not necessarily derail long-term sector performance.

Source:

Central Bank of Kenya

Period:

2019-2024
HTML code to embed chart
Want a bespoke report?
Reach out
Tags
Related Insights

Total microfinance deposits in Kenya only grew 1.66% CAGR over 10 years, ending at KSh 43.0B
  • Microfinance deposits in Kenya grew at only 1.66% CAGR between 2014 and 2024.
  • The peak occurred in 2021 at KSh 50.2B, after which deposits began a steady decline.
  • 2015 (+13.2%) and 2020 (+12.3%) posted the strongest year-on-year growth rates.
  • The sector saw consecutive contractions from 2022 (-7.3%), 2023 (-5.7%), to 2024 (-2.0%).
  • Despite small rebounds in 2018 (+7.3%) and 2019 (+12.3%), the long-term trend is weak.

Microfinance banks in Kenya have consistently posted losses since 2016, reaching KSh -3.5B in 2024
  • Microfinance banks in Kenya recorded their last profit in 2015 (KSh 0.6B) before sliding into losses.
  • The sector’s losses deepened from KSh -0.4B in 2016 to KSh -3.5B in 2024.
  • The steepest single-year decline occurred in 2020, when losses increased by 560.8% to KSh -2.2B.
  • Even in recovery years like 2019 (KSh -0.3B) and 2021 (KSh -0.7B), the sector remained in losses.
  • Over the 10 years, profitability fell at a -212.1% CAGR, reflecting a structural collapse.
  • Since 2016, there has been no single year of profit, highlighting sustained weakness.
  • The worsening losses mirror other sector struggles, such as stagnant deposits, weak asset growth, and rising NPLs.

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.

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.

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.

POPULAR TOPICS
SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
Get periodic updates about the African startup space, access to our reports, among others.
Subscribe Here
Subscription Form

A product of Techpoint Africa. All rights reserved