Kenya Banking Sector Profits Rose 17.7% in 2025, CBK Report Shows
By Faith Jepkirui | October 1, 2026
Kenya’s banking sector recorded profit before tax of KSh306.3 billion in 2025, up 17.7% from KSh260.3 billion in 2024, according to the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK). The regulator attributed the rise mainly to expenses growing more slowly than total income.
Loans grew, but non-performing loans stayed high
Gross loans increased 6.8% to about KSh4.35 trillion. The stock of non-performing loans (NPLs) edged down from KSh697.3 billion to KSh696.9 billion, leaving a substantial volume of credit in arrears even as banks became more profitable.
These figures describe the sector as a whole. They do not show that every bank improved or that all borrowers faced the same conditions.
Liquidity also improved
The average liquidity ratio rose from 56.0% to 59.3%. CBK linked the change to liquid assets growing faster than short-term liabilities. The ratio is a sector average, so customers should not assume it describes the position of an individual bank.
What customers can take from the report
Higher bank profits do not by themselves mean cheaper loans or better savings rates. Borrowers can compare each lender’s total loan cost, fees and repayment terms; savers can compare account charges, access conditions and interest rates. The report’s figures provide context, while each bank’s published product terms determine what a customer is offered.
