Christine Kagendo 
Absa Bank Kenya MD and CEO Abdi Mohamed with Chief Finance Officer Yusuf Omari
Absa Bank Kenya PLC records Kshs. 5.3 billion profit after tax as total assets surge by 10% to Kshs. 571 Billion;
Performance highlights:
- Profit before tax of Kshs. 7.5 billion for the period ended 31 March 2026
- Total assets grew by 10% to Kshs. 571.3 billion
- Customer deposits increased by 8% to Kshs. 399.1 billion
- Return on equity of 20.3%, one of the leading across the industry
- Capital and liquidity ratios remained strong, with capital adequacy at 21% and liquidity reserves at 53.2%
Absa Bank Kenya PLC has reported a profit after tax of Kshs. 5.3 billion and delivered Return on Equity of 20.3% for the quarter ending March 31, 2026, reinforcing its unwavering focus to supporting customers while investing in long-term resilience amidst constraints in the operating environment.
Through continued investment in customer-centric innovation, prudent risk management, and disciplined cost control, Absa strengthened its position as a trusted partner,helping customers navigate uncertainty while laying the foundation for sustainable growth.
During the period, customer deposits increased by 8% to Kshs. 399.1 billion, while customer loans and advances closed at Kshs. 303.8 billion, as the Bank scaled efforts to empower the financial dreams of individuals, households and businesses. Total assets grew by 10% to Kshs. 571.3 billion, underscoring the strength of the balance sheet.
Speaking about the financial results, Absa Bank Kenya PLC Managing Director and CEO, Abdi Mohamed, said: “It has been a demanding period for our customers and the broader economy, but our focus has been on standing alongside those we serve.
While our performance reflects these pressures, our actions are guided by a long-term view, supporting our customers today while safeguarding the strength of our business for the future.”
During the period under review, the Bank recorded total revenue of Kshs. 14.7 billion, through disciplined cost-of-funds management, reflecting the impact of a lower interest rate environment.
Against the backdrop of shifting market dynamics, net interest income closed at Kshs. 10.4 billion, while non-interest income closed at Kshs. 4.3 billion for the quarter ending 31 March 2026.
Notably, the Bank continued to accelerate its revenue diversification agenda, with total income from subsidiaries growing by 25% year-on-year.
“Underpinned by our purpose of “Empowering Africa’s tomorrow, together, one story at a time, this set of results illustrates the strength of our franchise and the deliberate execution of our strategy in a dynamic market.
As we continue to transform, our focus is firmly on deepening customer relationships, accelerating innovation, and delivering sustainable value for our stakeholders,” said Mr. Mohamed.
The Bank’s strategy continues to deliver measurable commercial momentum while strengthening its competitive position across the franchise.
In Private and Personal Banking, Absa scaled its high-net-worth wealth offering and continued to innovate with a leading platinum card proposition, contributing to its recognition as Best Retail Bank Kenya 2026.
In Business Banking, Absa accelerated its anchor ecosystem client acquisition, improving access to working capital for its MSME customers through the “WEZESHA” value-chain financing programme, digital merchant’s payment solution “Lipa na Absa”, business credit card solutions, among others.
The Bank continued to invest in material enhancements in its propositions, including the strengthening of its Asset-Based Finance (ABF) proposition that was re-launched in April 2026.
In Corporate Banking, the Bank consolidated its leadership position, ranking first in East Africa for M&A by deal value and underscoring the strength of its sector coverage model and bespoke mandates.
The Global Markets unit also continued to innovate, introducing new currency pairs, expanding non-funded income, and diversifying earnings.
Absa continues to invest in brand and stakeholder initiatives that directly support business growth and deepen market relevance.
Flagship platforms such as the Magical Kenya Open (MKO), Absa Sirikwa Classic, and Absa Kip Keino Classic remain integral to strengthening customer engagement and reinforcing the Bank’s presence across key ecosystems.
These initiatives, alongside ongoing partnerships, continue to enhance connection with customers and stakeholders while supporting commercial momentum.
Building on this, the Bank remains committed to advancing sustainable and inclusive growth.The Absa Kenya Foundation launched the CirculaRising programme,supporting more than 2,000 women- and youth-led MSMEs in the circular economy with capacity to impact more than 30,000 livelihoods.
We also delivered flagship events, including the Magical Kenya Open (MKO), Absa Sirikwa Classic, and Absa Kip Keino Classic, deepening stakeholder engagement and strengthening our connection with the communities we serve.
“We continue to bring our purpose to life through the way we serve our customers and communities.
As we look ahead, we are accelerating investments in digital capabilities,customer experience,and strategic partnerships to build a more agile,efficient and future-ready organisation positioned to deliver sustainable growth,” added Mr. Mohamed.
