Equity Bank has been named Best Regional Bank in East Africa at the 2025 African Banker Awards held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

This prestigious award highlights the bank’s significant role in deepening financial inclusion, empowering communities and promoting sustainable economic development across East Africa.

The bank’s recognition is a reflection of its impactful presence across the region, driven by a purpose-led approach, customer-centric innovation, and strong support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Also, the award affirms the growing influence of regional financial institutions in shaping the continent’s economic future.

Equity Group Managing Director and CEO James Mwangi expressed delight and honour for the recognition the bank received terming the award as a testament to Equity’s commitment to delivering transformative financial services that empower individuals, businesses and communities across East and Central Africa.

“It validates our regional expansion model and is aligned with our Africa Recovery and Resilience Plan, which seeks to build inclusive, sustainable and resilient economies across the continent by supporting sectors that drive growth particularly agriculture, manufacturing, mining and natural resources, MSMEs, health, education and clean energy,” he highlighted.

In a press release sent to newsrooms, Dr Mwangi noted that Equity created its reputation by disrupting and democratising traditional banking services to achieve financial inclusion.

Under the Africa Recovery and Resilience Plan, he pointed out that the Group has pivoted to drive development financing for Africa’s socio-economic transformation through trade and investments by the private sector, with national governments providing the enabling environment and stable macroeconomic climate necessary for wealth creation.

The African Banker Awards, now in their 19th year, celebrate excellence and innovation in African banking.

Supported by the African Development Bank and partners such as the African Guarantee Fund, the awards recognize institutions and leaders that have significantly contributed to the continent’s financial sector over the past year.

In his remarks, Omar Ben Yedder, chair of the Awards Committee, emphasised the pivotal role African financial institutions play in the banking industry.

Omar declared, “Thomas Sankara once said, ‘The ones who feed you, rule you.’ In today’s context, we might say, ‘The ones who finance you, empower you’,” insisting that strong African-owned banks are critical to scaling development and banks like Equity Bank are at the forefront of that mission.

Meanwhile, Equity Group operates in six African markets Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) with a representative office in Ethiopia, serving over 22 million customers.

Through its integrated financial services and commitment to shared prosperity, Equity Bank continues to lead as a catalyst for regional transformation.

• Tell Media / KNA report / By Michael Omondi