United Bank for Africa (UBA) Kenya has recorded a recovery in its 2025 financial performance, posting a profit before tax of KES 426.8 million ($3,2 million), compared to a loss in 2024, representing a 173 percent improvement.
This marks a milestone in the Bank’s transformation journey and reinforces its commitment to sustainable growth in the Kenyan market.
In 2026, the Bank received an additional capital injection from its shareholder, UBA Plc, enabling full compliance with the Central Bank of Kenya’s minimum core capital requirement of KES 3 billion ($22.9)
This milestone demonstrates the Group’s strong confidence in Kenya as a strategic market and reaffirms UBA Kenya’s position as a well-capitalised and resilient financial institution.
UBA Kenya’s improved performance is supported by strong growth across its core business lines:
• Customer Deposits grew by 76 percent to KES 16.1 billion ($123 muiollion), reflecting rising customer confidence and stronger relationships.
• Loans and Advances increased by 131 percent, demonstrating increased support to
businesses and key sectors of the economy.
This performance reflects the Bank’s transformation strategy, anchored on balance sheet strengthening, customer-centricity, and innovation.
As part of the Bank’s commitment to supporting Kenya’s economic development,
UBA Kenya played a key role in the $150 million Road Securitisation Programme, an infrastructure financing program designed to unlock liquidity for road contractors, accelerate road construction, support the completion of stalled projects, and improve overall infrastructure to boost trade and mobility. This investment solidified
UBA Kenya’s role as a strategic partner in infrastructure development and structured finance is actively supporting both public and private sector growth in Kenya.
“UBA Kenya’s return to profitability marks a significant milestone. As a strategic subsidiary of UBA Plc, this reflects the Group’s strong confidence in Kenya, demonstrated through additional capital injection to ensure compliance with the minimum core capital requirement of KES 3 billion. This positions UBA Kenya on a solid foundation and enables us to play a greater role in supporting Kenya’s economic growth and deepening our contribution across key sectors of the economy,”said George Otieno, Chairman, Board of Directors.
Mary Mulili, Managing Director/CEO, UBA Kenya, added: “Our return to profitability is a clear signal that UBA Kenya is on the right path. We have strengthened our foundation and are now focused on growth. With the continued support of UBA Group, we are confident in our ability to deliver value to our customers, support businesses, and play a meaningful role in Kenya’s economic transformation.”
UBA Kenya’s growth is anchored on key strategic pillars: Cross-Border Trade: Leveraging UBA’s Pan-African network and solutions such as PAPSS to facilitate seamless intra-African trade; Sector-Focused Lending: Targeting Manufacturing, Trade, Agriculture, Mining, and Construction
UBA Supports value chains through tailored financing solutions; Expanding payment solutions, digital banking platforms, and enhancing customer experience Others include: Advancing clean energy financing and environmentally responsible investments.
With a strengthened capital base, improved financial performance, and continued backing from UBA Group, UBA Kenya is well-positioned for sustained growth. The Bank’s outlook remains strong and optimistic, with a clear focus on: Scaling lending to businesses across priority sectors; Driving financial inclusion and access to finance; Enabling trade across Africa; Supporting infrastructure and economic development; and Delivering innovative, customer-centric banking solutions.
Analysts will monitor whether UBA Kenya can maintain its deposit growth amid rising competition from larger domestic banks and the rapidly expanding mobile lending sector. The bank has highlighted cross-border trade facilitation through UBA’s Pan-African network as a key differentiator, especially as businesses aim to leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area framework
UBA Kenya, a subsidiary of United Bank for Africa Plc, provides innovative financial solutions to corporates, SMEs, and individuals across Kenya. Licensed by the Central Bank of Kenya, UBA Kenya is a full-service financial institution with a strong focus on empowering SMEs, advancing inclusive banking, and facilitating cross-border trade.
