NCBA Group PLC posted a profit after tax of KSh12.4 billion for the six months ended June 2026, representing a 12.2 per cent increase from KSh11.0 billion recorded during the same period in 2025, underlining the lender’s resilience amid a challenging regional economic environment.
The Group’s operating income rose 15.1 per cent to KSh40.7 billion, while profit before tax increased 14.3 per cent to KSh15.5 billion. Customer deposits expanded 11 per cent to KSh551 billion, with total assets growing 11.5 per cent to KSh739 billion.
Reflecting the improved performance, the board declared an interim dividend of KSh3.75 per share, up from KSh2.50 paid during the corresponding period last year.
Digital banking and quality lending support growth
NCBA Group Managing Director John Gachora attributed the results to disciplined execution of the bank’s UBUNTU strategy despite inflationary pressures and cautious monetary policies across the region.
He said the Group maintained strong balance sheet growth through quality lending while managing non-performing loans at 10.5 per cent, significantly below Kenya’s banking industry average of 15.3 per cent.
Digital lending remained a major growth engine, with KSh819 billion disbursed through digital loan platforms during the period, representing a 26.9 per cent year-on-year increase.
The lender, however, increased provisions for credit losses to KSh5.2 billion, compared to KSh3.2 billion in the first half of 2025, reflecting a prudent approach to emerging credit risks.
NCBA also maintained a return on average equity of 19 per cent and a capital adequacy ratio of 21.7 per cent, providing sufficient capacity to finance future expansion.
Subsidiaries post robust performance
The Kenyan banking business remained the Group’s largest contributor to earnings, posting a 24.3 per cent growth in profitability to KSh13.7 billion, supported by improved funding costs and healthy lending activity.
Regional subsidiaries in Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda collectively delivered KSh1.6 billion in profit, driven by 25 per cent growth in lending and an 11 per cent rise in income.
Meanwhile, non-banking businesses, including NCBA Investment Bank, Leasing, Bancassurance and NCBA Insurance—recorded a combined KSh1.1 billion in profitability, reflecting 40 per cent growth compared to the previous year.
Technology, SMEs and sustainability remain strategic priorities
NCBA invested KSh2.4 billion in technology infrastructure to strengthen artificial intelligence capabilities, cybersecurity and core banking systems, resulting in 99.68 per cent system uptime. Customer satisfaction also improved, with the Digital Net Promoter Score rising to 69 per cent.
The Group expanded its wealth management business, increasing assets under management to KSh101 billion while surpassing 60,000 active wealth clients. Mobile banking accounted for 94 per cent of all transactions during the reporting period.
Its SME loan portfolio grew 12 per cent to KSh44.7 billion, while insurance businesses recorded gross written premiums of KSh2.1 billion for NCBA Insurance and KSh2.3 billion for Bancassurance.
Beyond banking, the lender strengthened its asset finance business, maintaining a 30 per cent market share in Kenya while supporting electric vehicle and solar financing initiatives. The Group’s CarDuka platform facilitated vehicle sales worth KSh1.94 billion, while KOMIUT processed more than KSh117 million in transport collections.
The bank also continued implementing its sustainability agenda by supporting green financing initiatives, nurturing and planting over 340,000 trees, and impacting more than 400,000 livelihoods through community programmes.
Looking ahead, NCBA expects continued growth despite a projected global economic slowdown, with management expressing confidence that its regional expansion strategy and strong capital position will create long-term value for customers, shareholders and communities.
