Equity Group Holdings is preparing a major structural shift by separating its rapidly expanding digital services arm from its traditional banking operations, as it seeks to strengthen its footprint in Africa’s competitive fintech space.
The Group intends to establish a standalone company by the second half of 2026 that will house all its digital financial solutions. These include platforms currently managed under its Finserve division, such as Equitel. The move signals a deliberate transition from conventional banking toward a more technology-driven model.
By creating an independent digital entity, Equity aims to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and unlock the full value of its fast-growing tech platforms. The new outfit will be led by Technology Managing Director Sarah Kabira, alongside a team of seasoned global technology professionals including Eve Ngigi, John Kamara, and Johnny Falla.
While announcing the bank’s 2025 financial performance in Nairobi, CEO James Mwangi described the spin-off as a strategic step in the Group’s long-term transformation. He emphasized ongoing investments in advanced digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence to expand customer reach, reduce transaction costs, and improve financial inclusion.
The restructuring is also aligned with Equity’s broader vision for 2030, which targets expansion into 15 markets and serving up to 100 million customers. The Group is repositioning itself as a regional platform that connects businesses to capital and markets beyond traditional banking services.
This transition comes at a time when the lender is reporting strong financial growth. Net earnings surged to KSh75.5 billion (approximately $580 million) in 2025, up significantly from KSh48.8 billion the previous year. Total assets also rose to KSh1.97 trillion.
Equity’s regional subsidiaries—spanning Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo—are increasingly contributing a larger share of profits. The bank is leveraging its digital ecosystem to facilitate cross-border trade and support small and medium-sized enterprises in accessing wider markets.