NCBA Group PLC has reported a 12.6 percent rise in profit after tax to KES 11.1 billion for the first half of 2025, up from KES 9.8 billion in the same period last year, supported by higher income and strong regional performance.
Profit before tax stood at KES 13.6 billion, reflecting an 11.4 percent year-on-year increase, while operating income climbed 12.7 percent to KES 35.3 billion. Operating expenses also rose by 12.5 percent to KES 18.6 billion, while provisions for credit losses expanded by 19.1 percent to KES 3.2 billion.
The Group’s board recommended an interim dividend of KES 2.50 per share.
Group Managing Director John Gachora said the results highlight “a rebound and positive momentum on business performance” despite a challenging economic environment. He added that prudent pricing and operational excellence had driven income growth, while asset quality remained stable with a non-performing loan ratio of 11.9 percent and a cost of risk of 1.4 percent.
Kenya Subsidiary Drives Performance
NCBA Bank Kenya contributed 81 percent of Group profitability, posting a profit before tax of KES 11 billion, a 7.4 percent rise year-on-year. This was supported by improved cost of funding and a 32 percent increase in net interest income. Regional businesses recorded KES 1.8 billion in profit before tax, while non-banking subsidiaries, including NCBA Investment Bank and NCBA Insurance, contributed KES 804 million, up 40 percent year-on-year.
The Group disbursed KES 646 billion in digital loans during the period, a 35 percent increase, and grew its customer base to nearly 70 million. Customer deposits, however, fell by 6 percent to KES 497 billion, while total assets dipped 3.8 percent to KES 663 billion.
Strategic Investments and Sustainability
NCBA expanded its branch network to 122 across the region, surpassing 100 branches in Kenya with the opening of its Nord Ruiru branch. It also invested in technology, upgrading its ConnectPlus corporate banking platform and enhancing its CarDuka digital auto-finance marketplace with AI-driven features.
On sustainability, the Group steered KES 9.5 billion into green financing, planted nearly 400,000 trees, empowered over 55,000 women and youth, and impacted more than 740,000 livelihoods through community initiatives.
Positive Outlook
Looking ahead, Mr Gachora noted a favourable macroeconomic environment with inflation at 4.1 percent, a stable shilling at 129 against the US dollar, and the Central Bank of Kenya’s benchmark lending rate lowered to 9.5 percent.
“NCBA remains committed to delivering strong financial performance backed by continued strategic investments in people, technology and brand while fostering a customer-obsessed culture to drive sustainable growth,” he said.
