KCB Group’s nine-month net profit to September 2025 rose to Sh47.3 billion, driven by strong performance in its domestic business and growing contributions from regional subsidiaries.
The results reflect a deliberate shift toward cross-border expansion, mirroring a model long adopted by peers like Equity Group, results reflect a deliberate shift toward cross-border expansion, mirroring a model long adopted by peers like Equity Group, with the Kenya subsidiary still at the core of the Group’s profits.
KCB Kenya continues to anchor profits, contributing roughly 68 per cent of the nine-month net profit, about Sh31.97 billion, up from Sh29 billion a year earlier, which is a 10 per cent increase, even as regional subsidiaries continue to gain momentum. BPR Rwanda rose 16 per cent to Sh2.771 billion, KCB Tanzania 15 per cent to Sh2.349 billion, and KCB Burundi 16 per cent to Sh585 million, while the Democratic Republic of Congo unit dipped slightly by 1 per cent to Sh7.616 billion. KCB South Sudan’s contribution fell 78 per cent, reflecting severe and volatile local inflation. Collectively, cross-border operations now provide nearly a third of the Group’s net profits, offering a stabilizing buffer against domestic market volatility and signaling a gradual move toward a more diversified regional earnings base.
During the period, net interest income climbed 12 per cent to Sh104.3 billion, lifting total income to Sh149.4 billion, up from Sh142.9 billion a year earlier. Non-funded income fell 10 per cent to Sh45.1 billion, affected by lower foreign-exchange earnings and reduced fees following the restructuring of Trust Merchant Bank in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Group Chief Executive Paul Russo said the results reflect broad-based strength across the Group’s operations. “Despite a tough operating environment in all our markets, we have delivered a strong performance showing the resilience of the Group,” Russo said, adding that KCB continues to build “an agile business” focused on supporting customers and delivering shareholder value.”
The lender’s balance sheet expanded 2.6 per cent to Sh2.04 trillion, with like-for-like assets (excluding the NBK sale) up 10.9 per cent. Gross loans rose 7 per cent to Sh1.24 trillion, supported by lending across agriculture, construction, manufacturing, energy, and water sectors in its markets. Digital channels also contributed to revenue growth, with a new mobile banking platform featuring self-onboarding capabilities boosting transaction volumes even as traditional fee lines softened.
Operating expenses increased 2 per cent to Sh69.1 billion, improving the cost-to-income ratio to 46.2 per cent from 47.4 per cent a year earlier. Asset quality showed slight improvement, with non-performing loans easing to 17.8 per cent, helped by recoveries and removal of NBK’s legacy loan book from the consolidated numbers. Capital buffers remain robust, with core capital at 17 per cent, total capital at 19.6 per cent, and liquidity at 46.7 per cent.
KCB Chairman Joseph Kinyua said the institution expects a strong finish to the year. “We are optimistic that we will close the year strong,” he said, noting that the Group has built “a resilient, dynamic, and sustainable business for the future.” Shareholders benefited from Sh4 per share in dividends, including a special payout tied to the NBK sale of Sh14.2 billion.
The results underline the growing role of regional markets in shaping KCB’s performance. While Kenya continues to anchor the Group’s earnings, expanding operations in Rwanda, Tanzania, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo are gradually strengthening the earnings base, diversifying revenue sources, and positioning KCB for longer-term regional growth.
