Equity Bank has once again been crowned Kenya’s most valuable brand, solidifying its position as a market leader in the country’s fast-evolving financial landscape. According to the 2025 Brand Finance Kenya 100 ranking, Equity Bank’s brand value rose by 8% to KES 71.3 billion, marking a second straight year at the top of the list.
This continued dominance is attributed to strong net interest income, an expansive and loyal customer base, and a high Brand Strength Index (BSI) score, reflecting sustained consumer trust, market leadership, and consistent brand engagement.
Banking Sector Dominates Brand Rankings
The 2025 ranking showcases the resilience and momentum of Kenya’s banking sector, with financial institutions contributing more than half of the total brand value among the top performers.
- Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) maintained its third-place position with a 9% brand value increase to KES 54.8 billion, and a strong BSI score of 94.4 out of 100, placing it as Kenya’s second strongest brand.
- Co-operative Bank of Kenya and NCBA held steady in fifth and sixth positions respectively, reflecting the sector’s innovation and customer-focused growth.
- I&M Bank rose to ninth position with a 38% brand value increase to KES 7.8 billion, attributed to its service expansion and strategic innovation.
- Equity Bank, despite a minor drop in its BSI score, continues to command a AAA+ rating, proving its strength in familiarity, consideration, and reputation.
Safaricom and M-Pesa Maintain Digital Supremacy
Telecommunications giant Safaricom remained in second place with a brand value of KES 58.3 billion, benefitting from Kenya’s continued digital transformation. Meanwhile, M-Pesa retained its fourth-place position, driven by increased demand for secure, cashless transactions and its ever-growing presence in the digital finance ecosystem.
Tusker Emerges as Fastest-Growing and Strongest Brand in Kenya
In a standout performance, Tusker, East Africa’s iconic beer brand, surged to eighth place in the ranking after experiencing an impressive 67% increase in brand value to KES 9.6 billion. This significant growth was fueled by a rebound in consumer spending and the revitalization of the hospitality sector.
Tusker was also named Kenya’s strongest brand in 2025, with a BSI score of 97.1 out of 100. It achieved perfect scores in metrics such as familiarity, consideration, and brand reputation, highlighting the brand’s deep-rooted connection to Kenyan identity and consumer trust.
Kenya Power and Kenya Airways
Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) retained its seventh-place position with a 4%brand value increase to KES 16.6 billion, driven by increased electricity sales and revenue growth.
Kenya Airways, while improving its brand value by 8.5% to KES 7.0 billion, slipped to tenth place in the overall ranking. This positive growth is credited to the airline’s financial turnaround strategy (Project Kifaru) which focuses on operational excellence and elevated customer experience.
Britam: A Trusted Leader in Insurance
The insurance sector was also represented, with Britam holding its ground as Kenya’s third strongest brand, boasting a BSI score of 91.4 out of 100 and an AAA+ rating. Britam’s solid performance across key consumer metrics such as reliability, price acceptance, and accessibility underscores its position as a dependable and high-quality service provider within Kenya’s increasingly competitive financial services space.
According to Brand Finance, brand value refers to the net economic benefit a brand owner would derive from licensing the brand in an open market. This differs from the overall valuation of a company’s physical or financial assets. On the other hand, brand strength is an assessment of how effectively a brand performs on intangible metrics relative to competitors, scored out of 100.
As the country continues to navigate digital transformation, consumer demand shifts, and economic recovery, the brands that consistently invest in customer engagement, innovation, and purpose-driven growth are poised to lead the next chapter of Kenyan commerce.
