For a long time, Kenya has attracted foreign investment across various sectors, including the banking industry. This article highlights several foreign commercial banks currently operating in Kenya.
List of Foreign Commercial Banks
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Absa Kenya PLC
Absa Bank Kenya PLC, one of the foreign commercial banks, is a subsidiary of Absa Group Limited, which is listed on the JSE in South Africa. It is one of Africa’s largest diversified financial services groups, with a presence in 12 countries and around 42,000 employees. The bank was formerly known as Barclays Bank Kenya Limited before rebranding.
It offers a wide range of financial services, including consumer, corporate, and investment banking, as well as wealth management and digital solutions. Absa has over 85 branches nationwide, with its main branch and headquarters located in Nairobi at the Absa Westend Building, off Waiyaki Way.
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Bank of Africa Kenya Limited
Bank of Africa Kenya Limited (BOA-KENYA) is part of the Bank of Africa (BOA) Group. The group operates across Africa, offering banking services to individuals, SMEs, and corporations.
The bank began operations in Kenya in July 2004 after acquiring the Kenyan branch of Crédit Agricole Indosuez. BOA-KENYA has a network of 21 branches countrywide, with a business centre in Nairobi at BOA House, Karuna Close, off Waiyaki Way, Westlands.
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Bank of India
Bank of India (Kenya) is a subsidiary of Bank of India (BOI), headquartered in Mumbai, India. Established in 1906, BOI is one of India’s leading banks, with a significant presence internationally.
In Kenya, the bank has branches in Nairobi, Mombasa, Industrial Area, Westlands, and Eldoret. Its main office is on Kenyatta Avenue in Nairobi.
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Standard Chartered Bank Kenya Limited
Standard Chartered Bank Kenya is the first foreign bank to operate in Kenya, established in 1911 with its first branch in Mombasa’s Treasury Square.
It is a subsidiary of the British multinational Standard Chartered PLC. Currently, it has 22 branches, 107 ATMs, and over 1,000 employees, with the main branch located on Kenyatta Avenue in Nairobi.
- Bank of Baroda (Kenya) Limited
Bank of Baroda (Kenya) Limited is a subsidiary of India’s Bank of Baroda, established on January 21, 1992.
The bank operates through 14 branches and a Sales and Service Centre across Kenya, providing a range of banking services including internet and mobile banking.
- Ecobank Kenya Limited
Ecobank Kenya is a subsidiary of the Ecobank Group, the leading independent pan-African banking group headquartered in Lomé, Togo. The group offers a full suite of banking products and services and has offices in France, Addis Ababa, Johannesburg, Beijing, London, and Dubai.
In Kenya, its headquarters are at Fortis Office Park, Muthangari Drive, Nairobi.
7. Commercial International Bank (CIB) Kenya Limited
CIB Kenya is a private commercial bank established in 2017, licensed by the Central Bank of Kenya.
It is a subsidiary of Egypt’s Commercial International Bank.
Its headquarters are at KAM House, Mwanzi Road, Westlands, Nairobi with two branches within the country.
- Citibank N.A. Kenya
Citibank N.A. Kenya is a subsidiary of Citigroup, headquartered in New York, USA. It has been operating in Kenya since 1974, providing services to corporate clients, financial institutions, and the public sector.
Also Read: Full List of 17 Licensed Investment Banks Operating in Kenya
Its main office is at Citibank House, Upper Hill Road, Nairobi, with branches in Nairobi and Mombasa.
- Dubai Islamic Bank Kenya Limited
Dubai Islamic Bank Kenya Limited (DIB Kenya) is a subsidiary of Dubai Islamic Bank PJSC, the largest Islamic bank in the UAE. DIB Kenya provides Shariah-compliant banking services and is the third fully Shariah-compliant bank in Kenya.
Its headquarters are at the junction of Bunyala and Lower Hill Road, Upper Hill, Nairobi. DIB Kenya operates five branches nationwide.
- Guaranty Trust Bank Kenya Limited
Guaranty Trust Bank Kenya Limited (GTBank Kenya) is a subsidiary of Nigeria’s Guaranty Trust Bank Plc. It is licensed by the Central Bank of Kenya.
Its headquarters are at Plot 1870 Woodvale Close, Nairobi, and it has nine branches.
- Habib Bank AG Zurich Kenya
Habib Bank AG Zurich Kenya is a subsidiary of Habib Bank AG Zurich, founded in Switzerland in 1967. The bank has a global presence in 11 countries.
Its headquarters are on Muthithi Road, Nairobi.
- SBM Bank Kenya Limited
SBM Bank Kenya Limited is a subsidiary of SBM Bank, headquartered in Mauritius and founded in September 1973.
The bank offers a wide range of services, including deposits, lending, trade finance, asset management, and payment services.
Also Read: CBK Lifts Ban on Licensing New Banks
Its headquarters are at Riverside Mews Building, Riverside Drive, Nairobi, with a network of 33 branches across the country.
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