Equity Group announced a significant increase in its financial performance, with its profit after tax for the first half of 2026 soaring by 32 percent.

• Profit after tax reached Sh45.5 billion, up from Sh34.6 billion in the same period last year.
• The strong results were driven by a 17 percent rise in net interest income and a 36 percent increase in non-funded income, which now accounts for 44.5 percent of total income.
• Dr. James Mwangi, Group Managing Director and CEO, attributed the performance to resilient economic growth across the regions where Equity Group operates, highlighting strong contributions from subsidiaries in Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Private debt is emerging as a vital alternative financing source for Kenyan micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), offering flexible solutions amid challenges with traditional credit access.

• The estimated MSME financing gap in Kenya stands at approximately Sh4 trillion.
• Teddy Yanga, Senior Investment Manager at Lofty-Corban Investments Limited, highlights private debt's benefits.
• Private debt provides capital based on a business's cash flows and growth potential, not just collateral.

Sidian Bank has announced a significant increase in its half-year net profit, driven by strong performance in its lending and investment portfolios.

• The bank's net profit surged by 28.9 percent to Sh1.21 billion in the first half of 2026.
• The key driver for this growth was a 123.1 percent increase in net interest income, reaching Sh3.64 billion.
• Sidian Bank also saw its loans and advances grow by 23.1 percent to Sh33.14 billion, while customer deposits rose by 22.5 percent to Sh73.45 billion.