NAIROBI, Kenya — For the second year running, Equity Bank has been named Kenya’s most valuable brand, according to the 2025 Brand Finance rankings, with its brand value rising 8pc to Sh71.3 billion.
This boost isn’t just about big numbers. It’s built on deep consumer trust, strong net interest income growth, and a rock-solid Brand Strength Index (BSI) score.
The rankings reveal a familiar story: banks dominate the brand game. KCB clocked in at third with a 9pc gain to Sh54.8 billion, while Co-operative Bank clinched fifth place, thanks to growing demand for digital banking and financial services.
In between the banks, Safaricom held steady at second place, its brand value inching up 0.5pc to Sh58.3 billion. The telecom titan remains a key player in Kenya’s fast-growing digital ecosystem.
M-Pesa followed closely behind Safaricom in fourth place, reflecting the unstoppable rise of digital payments in Kenya. The platform continues to thrive as Kenyans lean further into secure, cashless transactions.
Meanwhile, NCBA landed sixth, and Kenya Power (KPLC) held on to seventh with a 4pc increase in brand value to Sh16.6 billion, thanks to stronger electricity sales. Energy might not be flashy, but in a growing economy, it’s still a big deal.
I&M Bank surged into ninth after a 38pc brand value spike to Sh7.8 billion, while Kenya Airways, despite an 8.5pc growth to Sh7.0 billion, dropped to tenth—nudged down by more aggressive competitors. Still, its turnaround strategy, dubbed Project Kifaru, seems to be keeping the airline in the game
Even though Equity Bank leads in value, it dipped slightly in brand strength to fourth, though it still maintains an enviable AAA+ rating.
The bank continues to perform well in consumer metrics like preference and trust, just not quite at its previous peak.
Brand Finance defines brand value as the net benefit a company would earn by licensing its brand in a competitive market, while brand strength measures a brand’s intangible edge—think emotional connection, consumer trust, and reputation.
The takeaway from the 2025 rankings? Kenya’s economy is still being steered by banks—but consumer brands like Tusker are making a bold, bubbly comeback.
As digital transformation accelerates and post-pandemic recovery breathes life back into spending habits, the brand battlefield is getting a lot more exciting.
