{
  "id": 1886055,
  "title": "Equity Group H1 profit after tax rises 32pc to Sh45.5bn",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/equity-group-h1-profit-after-tax-rises-32pc-to-sh45-5bn",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-19T07:02:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Capital Business",
    "slug": "capital-business",
    "url": "https://capitalfm.africa/equity-group-h1-profit-after-tax-rises-32pc-to-sh45-5bn/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "NAIROBI, Kenya – Equity Group reported a significant 32 percent rise in profit after tax to Sh45.5 billion in the first half of 2026, compared to Sh34.6 billion in the same period last year. This growth was driven by a 17 percent increase in net interest income to Sh69.3 billion, supported by expansion in lending activities. Total income surged 25 percent to Sh124.9 billion, with non-funded income contributing 44.5 percent of the Group's total income, up from 40.8 percent in H1 2025. Regional subsidiaries in Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo played a vital role in the performance, with profit growth of 82 percent and 30 percent, respectively. Equity Bank Kenya saw a 32 percent increase in gross profit during the period. Managing Director and CEO Dr James Mwangi credited the success to resilient economic growth in the Group's operating markets, including Kenya (4.5%-5% growth), Democratic Republic of Congo (5.6%), Tanzania (5.9%), Uganda (6.4%), Rwanda (6.8%), and South Sudan (20%). Mwangi emphasized that the performance reflects the Group's multiyear transformation agenda, focusing on resilience, diversification, and technology enablement.",
  "summary": "The lender attributed the growth to a 17 percent increase in net interest income to Sh69.3 billion from Sh59.3 billion, supported by growth in lending.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}