6 Kenyan Companies Ranked Among East Africa’s Top 10 [List]

Kenyan companies have once again dominated the regional corporate landscape, with six firms securing positions in East Africa’s top 10 companies in the latest African Business ranking.

According to the report, East Africa’s corporate sector is expanding steadily, with the number of companies valued at over $1 billion rising to 14 in 2026, up from just eight in 2025.

This growth shows improving business performance across the region, even as competition from Tanzania and Uganda intensifies.

Safaricom maintained its position as the largest company in East Africa by a wide margin, with a market valuation of $8.4 billion.

The telecommunications giant is followed by MTN Uganda, with Tanzanian banks CRDB and NMB Bank posting gains to rank third and fourth, respectively.

Top 10 Companies in East Africa (2026)

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Safaricom’s continued dominance was driven by strong financial performance, including a 55% rise in half-year profits to KSh65.2 billion ($501 million) for the period ending September 2025.

Growth in its Ethiopia operations and increased revenue from M-Pesa, which rose to KSh88.1 billion ($678 million), also boosted its valuation.

The company’s 2022 expansion into Ethiopia is showing progress, with reported losses narrowing compared to the previous year.

Tanzania Gains Ground

One of the most notable shifts in the latest ranking is the rapid rise of Tanzanian banks.

CRDB Bank and NMB Bank both surged to $2.7 billion in value, overtaking several Kenyan lenders for the first time.

Tanzania’s banking sector is expanding, with total profits reaching 2.47 trillion Tanzanian shillings ($950 million) in 2025, a 14.7% rise from the previous year.

The increase points to higher performance across banks and a growing role in the economy. But despite this progress, Kenya remains ahead in the region, supported by a larger number of large banks and a more developed financial system.

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Other Kenyan Companies on the List

Beyond the top 10, several other Kenyan firms were featured in the regional top 20, noting the country’s continued dominance.

These include Absa Bank Kenya, NCBA Group, Standard Chartered Bank Kenya, Stanbic Bank Kenya, and I&M Group.

Kenya also maintained a strong presence across multiple sectors, including banking, telecommunications, manufacturing, and energy.

In total, Kenyan companies accounted for 11 of the top 20 firms in East Africa, compared with 6 from Tanzania and 3 from Uganda.

The ranking also points to a broader trend of economic expansion across East Africa. The increase in the number of billion-dollar companies and rising market valuations suggests stronger investor confidence and improving corporate performance.

Even companies outside the top tier are growing, with the 20th-ranked firm valued significantly higher than in previous years.