Top 10 biggest companies in Kenya (2024)

In Kenya, the economy is largely dominated by a few large corporations. The top ten companies in Kenya include Safaricom, Equity Group Holdings, KCB Group, East African Breweries, Co-operative Bank of Kenya, NCBA Group, Absa Bank Kenya, I&M Holdings, Standard Chartered Bank Kenya, and British American Tobacco Kenya.

Kenya’s biggest companies

Rank	Companies	Revenue (USD $)
1.	Safaricom	2,430 million
2.	Equity Group Holdings	1,254 million
3.	KCB Group	1,214 million
4.	East African Breweries	791 thousand
5.	Co-operative Bank of Kenya	625 thousand
6.	NCBA Group	610 thousand
7.	Absa Bank of Kenya	402 thousand
8.	I&M Holdings	342 thousand
9.	Standard Chartered Bank Kenya	298 thousand
10.	British American Tobacco Kenya	238 thousand

1. Safaricom

Revenue: $2,430 million

Safaricom is the largest telecommunications company in Kenya, providing mobile phone services, fixed broadband, and mobile money transfer services through its M-Pesa platform. The company is known for its innovation, having launched products such as M-Pesa, which has revolutionized mobile money transfer services in Kenya and beyond. 

Safaricom has a strong commitment to social and environmental responsibility. The company has launched initiatives such as the “Safaricom Foundation” to support community development, and has implemented measures to reduce its carbon footprint and promote sustainable practices. In 2021, Safaricom reported a revenue of $2.4 million, reflecting the company’s position as a major player in the telecommunications industry in Kenya.

2. Equity Group Holdings

Revenue: $1,254 million

Equity Group Holdings is a financial services company that operates in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The company provides banking, insurance, and investment services to individuals, SMEs, and corporations. Equity Bank has a strong focus on serving the needs of low-income earners and SMEs, providing financing and other services to support their growth and development.

Equity Group Holdings has a strong commitment to social and environmental responsibility. The company has launched initiatives such as the “Equity Group Foundation” to support education, health, and entrepreneurship, and has implemented measures to reduce its carbon footprint and promote sustainable practices. Equity Group Holdings reported a revenue of $1.2 million, reflecting the company’s position as a major player in the financial services industry in East Africa.

3. KCB Group

Revenue: $1,214 million

KCB Group is a financial services company that operates in Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi. The company provides banking, insurance, and investment services to individuals, SMEs, and corporates. KCB has a strong focus on serving the needs of SMEs, providing financing and other services to support their growth and development. KCB Group has a strong commitment to social and environmental responsibility. 

The company has launched initiatives such as the “KCB Foundation” to support education, health, and entrepreneurship, and has implemented measures to reduce its carbon footprint and promote sustainable practices. KCB Group reported a revenue of $1.2 million, reflecting the company’s position as a major player in the financial services industry in East Africa.

4. East African Breweries

Revenue: $791 thousand

East African Breweries Limited (EABL) is the largest beer and spirits manufacturer in East Africa, producing popular brands such as Tusker, Pilsner, White Cap, and Guinness. The company has a strong presence in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, and also exports to other African countries and beyond. EABL has a strong commitment to responsible drinking and environmental sustainability. 

The company has launched initiatives such as the “Designated Driver” campaign, which encourages responsible drinking, and has implemented measures to reduce water consumption and carbon emissions in its operations. EABL reported a revenue of $791,000, reflecting the company’s strong position in the alcoholic beverage industry in East Africa.

5. Co-operative Bank of Kenya

Revenue: $625 thousand

Co-operative Bank of Kenya is a leading commercial bank in Kenya, providing banking services to over 8 million customers. The bank has a strong focus on serving the needs of co-operative societies and SMEs, providing financing and other services to support their growth and development. 

Co-operative Bank of Kenya has a strong commitment to social and environmental responsibility, launching initiatives such as the “Co-op Foundation” to support community development, and implementing measures to reduce its carbon footprint and promote sustainable practices. Co-operative Bank of Kenya reported a revenue of $625,000, reflecting the company’s strong position in the financial services industry in Kenya.

6. NCBA Group

Revenue: $610 thousand

NCBA Group is a financial services company formed by the merger of NIC Bank and Commercial Bank of Africa in 2019. The company provides banking, insurance, and investment services to over 40 million customers across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda. NCBA Bank has a strong focus on digital innovation, launching products such as M-Shwari, a mobile banking platform, and a range of online banking services. 

The bank has also been a major player in financing key sectors of the economy, including agriculture, real estate, and SMEs. NCBA Group reported a revenue of $610,000, reflecting the company’s strong position in the financial services industry in East Africa. The company’s success can be attributed to its customer-centric approach, innovative products and services, and strong brand reputation 

7. Absa Bank Kenya

Revenue: $402 thousand

Absa Bank Kenya is a commercial bank that provides banking services to individuals, SMEs, and corporates in Kenya. The bank was previously known as Barclays Bank of Kenya before it rebranded to Absa in 2020. Absa Bank Kenya has a strong focus on digital innovation, launching products such as Timiza, a mobile banking platform that offers loans and savings products. Absa Bank Kenya has also been involved in supporting community development and environmental sustainability. 

The bank has launched initiatives such as the “Absa Foundation” to support education, health, and entrepreneurship, and has implemented measures to reduce its carbon footprint and promote sustainable practices. Absa Bank Kenya reported a revenue of $402,000, reflecting the company’s position in the financial services industry in Kenya.

8. I&M Holdings

Revenue: $342 thousand

I&M Holdings is a financial services company that operates in Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Mauritius. The company provides banking, insurance, and investment services to individuals, SMEs, and corporates. I&M Bank has a strong focus on serving the needs of SMEs, providing financing and other services to support their growth and development. 

I&M Holdings has also been involved in supporting community development and environmental sustainability. The company has launched initiatives such as the “I&M Foundation” to support education, health, and environmental conservation. I&M Holdings reported a revenue of $342,000, reflecting the company’s position in the financial services industry in East Africa.

9. Standard Chartered Bank Kenya

Revenue: $298 thousand

Standard Chartered Bank Kenya is a subsidiary of Standard Chartered, a global banking and financial services company. The bank provides a range of banking services to individuals, SMEs, and corporates in Kenya.

Standard Chartered Bank Kenya has a strong commitment to social and environmental responsibility, launching initiatives such as the “Futuremakers” program to support education and youth entrepreneurship, and implementing measures to reduce its carbon footprint and promote sustainable practices. Standard Chartered Bank Kenya reported a revenue of $298,000, reflecting the company’s position in the financial services industry in Kenya.

10. British American Tobacco Kenya

Revenue: $238 thousand

British American Tobacco Kenya is a subsidiary of British American Tobacco, a global tobacco company. The company manufactures and sells tobacco products in Kenya, including popular brands such as Dunhill, Rothmans, and Embassy. British American Tobacco Kenya has a strong commitment to responsible tobacco use and environmental sustainability. 

The company has launched initiatives such as the “We Care” program to promote responsible tobacco use, and has implemented measures to reduce its environmental impact. British American Tobacco Kenya reported a revenue of $331 million, reflecting the company’s position in the tobacco industry in Kenya.

Conclusion

Overall, these ten companies play a significant role in Kenya’s economy, contributing to job creation, community development, and economic growth. Their success can be attributed to their customer-centric approach, innovative products and services, and strong commitment to social and environmental responsibility.