The top-listed companies on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) command billions in market value and influence local and foreign investors.
Market capitalization (market cap) is the total dollar market value of a company’s outstanding shares of stock, which is used by shareholders to determine the size of firms.
The NSE offers critical insights on where institutional money is flowing and which industries are weathering macroeconomic challenges.
Therefore, the ranking of the top companies by market capitalisation reveals the financial strength and the shifting trends in investor confidence, sectoral leadership, and market resilience.
Banks make up 9 companies in the top 15.
Here is a look at the top 15 publicly traded companies on the NSE, ranked by market capitalization.
Also Read: 11 Kenyan Companies Ranked Among East Africa’s Top 20 [List]
Safaricom Tops Companies by Market Cap on NSE
1. Safaricom (SCOM) – Ksh799.3 billion
Safaricom tops the list, dominating in mobile money (M-PESA), voice, and data services. Safaricom currently boasts a market cap that is north of Ksh799.3 billion.
2. Equity Group Holdings (EQTY) – Ksh183.4 billion
Equity Group ranks second with a market cap of Ksh183.4 billion. It offered a dividend yield of 8.7% and has grown 8.4% over the past year.
3. East African Breweries Ltd (EABL) – Ksh151.0 billion
EABL, remains the top performer in the manufacturing sector with a market cap of Ksh101.25 billion and a dividend yield of 4.4% and a YTD return of 24.3%.
4. KCB Group (KCB) – Ksh137.7 billion
As one of East Africa’s largest banks by assets, KCB continues to expand regionally, with a 34.5% one-year return and a dividend yield of 7.0%. it reflects huge earnings and investor confidence in banking.
5. Standard Chartered Bank Kenya (SCBK) – Ksh102.0 billion
SCBK is a favorite among dividend-seeking investors, with a16.7% dividend yield. Despite modest weekly growth, its posted 45.9% annual return.
6. Absa Bank Kenya (ABSA) – Ksh92.9 billion
ABSA posted a 32% one-year return and an attractive price-to-book ratio of 1.1x. Additionally it recorded a 10.2 % dividend yield.
7. Co-operative Bank of Kenya (COOP) – Ksh90.9 billion
COOP continues to shine with a 21.6% yearly return and a dividend yield of 9.7% proving its efficiency and profitability even in tight economic conditions.
8. NCBA Group – Ksh84.0 billion
Merging commercial and digital banking under one roof, NCBA has returned 33.2% over the past year with a 10.8% dividend yield.
Also Read: 5 Sectors Where Rich Kenyans Are Investing in 2025
KenGen Posts Highest Return on Top 15
9. Stanbic Holdings (SBIC) – Ksh67.1 billion
With a 36.1% annual return and a 12.2% dividend yield, Stanbic is emerging as a high-yield, low-risk option for long-term investors.
10. I&M Group (IMH) – Ksh52.8 billion
I&M Group has posted one of the high annual returns of 76.2% among the top 15 companies. Moreover, it offers an appealing 10.7% dividend yield.
11. British American Tobacco Kenya (BAT) – Ksh39.5 billion
Despite a -3.6% one-year return, BAT offered strong dividend payouts of 12.7%.
12. Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) – Ksh32.1 billion
The utility giant KenGen posted a 113.6% one-year return, and a 13.3% dividend yield.
13. BK Group (BKG) – Ksh32.0 billion
Despite modest gains 1.5% YoY and delivered a 7.8% dividend.
14. Kenya Airways (KQ) – Ksh26.1 billion
After turbulence, Kenya Airways is seeing renewed optimism with an 11.1% weekly return.
15. Bamburi Cement (BAMB) – Ksh20.5 billion
Bamburi has returned 20.9% over the past year and a 9.7% dividend yield.
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