Since the beginning of 2025, several major Kenyan companies have changed ownership.
These transitions resulted from strategic mergers and acquisitions, as well as shareholders choosing to sell majority stakes to new investors.
This article highlights notable Kenyan companies acquired by other firms in 2025.
List of Major Kenyan Companies Acquired in 2025
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National Bank of Kenya (NBK)
On April 14, 2025, the Central Bank of Kenya announced that Access Bank PLC (Access) acquired 100 percent of the shareholding of National Bank of Kenya Limited (NBK) from KCB Group PLC.
This acquisition followed the Central Bank’s approval on April 4, 2025, under Section 13 (4) of the Banking Act, and approval by the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning on April 10, 2025, in accordance with Section 9 of the Banking Act.
Additionally, the Central Bank approved the transfer of certain assets and liabilities of NBK to KCB Bank Kenya Limited on April 4, 2025.
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Java House
Java House, one of Kenya’s leading coffee and casual dining chains, was acquired in January 2025 by two Africa-focused private equity firms: Alterra Capital (which took a majority stake) and Phatisa Group (which holds a minority stake with control rights).
The seller was UK-based Actis, which had owned the company since 2019 after the liquidation of Dubai’s Abraaj Group. This marks the fourth ownership change for Java House since 2012.
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Savannah Cement
A consortium of Kenyan flour milling tycoons acquired Savannah Cement for approximately KES 3.8 billion (about US$29 million).
The takeover was executed through Savannah Cement 2025 Limited, a newly formed company supported by leading millers such as Mombasa Maize Millers, Kitui Flour Millers, Eldoret Grains Ltd, and the family behind the Super Loaf bread brand.
Also Read: List of Major Kenyan Hotels Taken Over by Banks in 2025
Savannah Cement had been struggling under receivership due to debts amounting to about KES 14.1 billion owed to KCB Bank Kenya and Absa Bank Kenya. The Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) approved the acquisition unconditionally on August 25, 2025, allowing the millers to take full control.
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Pollman’s Tours and Safari
Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote and American investor David Rubenstein made a strategic entry into Kenya’s tourism sector with the acquisition of Pollman’s Tours and Safaris, one of the country’s oldest and most established tour operators.
The acquisition was finalized in February through Alterra Capital Partners, a private equity firm backed by both Dangote and Rubenstein.
Alterra invested in Africa Travel Investments Limited, based in Europe, which acquired 100% of the issued share capital of Pollman’s Tours and Safaris Limited.
The CAK approved the transaction unconditionally in May 2025, stating it was unlikely to negatively impact competition or raise public interest concerns within the local tour operator market.
- Sumac Microfinance Bank
The CAK granted unconditional approval on June 2, 2025, for Moniepoint Inc. to acquire a 78% shareholding in Kenya’s Sumac Microfinance Bank Limited.
According to the CAK, the deal did not pose any threat to competition or public interest. In its statement, the CAK explained that the acquisition met the legal threshold for a merger under Sections 2 and 41 of the Competition Act, having surpassed the KES 1 billion turnover or asset mark that necessitates mandatory notification.
“During merger analysis, the Authority identifies the relevant product market as well as the geographic market,” the CAK added.
- Takaful Insurance of Africa
Takaful Insurance of Africa was acquired by Djibouti-based Tamini Insurance S.A. in a deal approved by the CAK in April 2025.
Tamini Insurance S.A. purchased a 65% majority stake in Takaful Insurance of Africa and is associated with Salaam Investment Bank Kenya and Salaam Microfinance Bank.
Also Read: Equity Bank Takes Over Eastland Hotel After 14 Years of Operation
The acquisition was classified as a merger under Kenya’s Competition Act and received unconditional approval from the CAK, which concluded that the transaction would not negatively affect competition in Kenya’s general insurance market.
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