Diamond Trust Bank Kenya (DTB Kenya) has formally exited the Burundian market after completing the sale of its entire stake in Diamond Trust Bank Burundi.
In a notice on 28 March, the bank said it had sold its 83.67% in the Burundian lender to a group of investors mainly based in Burundi, after receiving all the necessary regulatory approvals. The completion of the deal marks the end of DTB Kenya’s operations in the Central African country.
According to the lender, the final approval needed to complete the sale was granted by the Bank of the Republic of Burundi, allowing the transfer of ownership to be concluded.
“Following the said completion, DTB Kenya transferred its entire shareholding in DTB Burundi, which represented 83.67 % of the total issued share capital of DTB Burundi, to a consortium of investors principally based in Burundi,” read part of the notice
The buyer group includes existing minority shareholders, meaning control of the bank has now shifted fully to locally based investors.
DTB Kenya sells its Burundi subsidiary
According to DTB, following the completion of the transaction, DTB Burundi will officially cease to be a subsidiary of Diamond Trust Bank Kenya with effect from 31 December 2025.
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DTB Kenya also said it had withdrawn all earlier cautionary announcements issued to the market while the sale was still under review, signalling that the transaction had been fully concluded.
The bank confirmed that all conditions tied to the sale had been met, including the receipt of regulatory approvals, allowing the deal to be finalised without any outstanding issues.
DTB Burundi remains a registered and legally domiciled financial institution in Bujumbura, with its head office located at 10 Chaussée Prince Louis Rwagasore.
Following the change in ownership, the bank will continue operating as a locally owned institution, with its activities now fully overseen by Burundian regulatory authorities.
The bank said the announcement was issued in accordance with Kenyan capital markets laws and regulations, noting that the disclosure was made to meet its legal obligations and stock market reporting requirements.
DTB Kenya’s Decision to Sell Its Burundi Business
In September 2025, DTB Kenya told its shareholders that it intended to exit its Burundi business, having agreed to sell the unit under a conditional sale agreement with a group of investors based mainly in Burundi.
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The bank explained that the proposed sale, which includes an existing minority shareholder, would only be completed after all required regulatory approvals were obtained.
The bank said the followed an expression of interest from the minority shareholder to increase its stake in the bank, which led to discussions culminating in an agreement to transfer full ownership to local investors.
Speaking when the plan was first announced, DTB Group Chief Executive Officer Nasim Devji said the board had recognized the value of supporting Burundian investors seeking to grow the bank and expand access to financial services in the country.
“DTB Kenya entered Burundi 16 years ago as part of its financial inclusion agenda. We are leaving behind a stable and well‑managed financial institution,” Devji said.
Devji added that the transaction was completed at a fair price, provided a good return to the group, and supports DTB’s plan to focus its resources on markets central to its long‑term growth strategy.
