Nyabanda elaborated on the Group’s goals under its Banking arm, focusing on empowering customers by building sustainable value chains and supporting business resilience. “We are a business and like all businesses, we aim to provide value to our shareholders, especially given the immense growth opportunities in this region,” he said.
He also explained Equity’s expansion into offering Integrated Financial Services, including insurance, to protect and support the financial well-being of its customers and communities. Through its Technology Group, Equity has emerged as an industry leader in innovation. “We use technology as a catalyst to drive wealth transformation and boost operational efficiency,” he said.
Nyabanda emphasized the bank’s role in promoting financial access and inclusion. “We simplified banking by removing barriers like stringent documentation and minimum balance requirements. Opening an account now only requires an ID. We eliminated withdrawal limits and notice requirements, making banking accessible to everyone,” he said. He added that Equity invested in innovative distribution channels like agency banking and the Equity Mobile app to ensure services reach even the most remote areas.
Equity Group Associate Director of Innovation and Technology, Johnny Falla, spoke about the Equity Group Foundation and its efforts to uplift low-income communities. “Through a mix of financial tools, technology, and capacity building, we’re preparing Africans to thrive in the future,” said Falla. He also highlighted the Foundation’s programs in Education and Leadership, Enterprise Development and Financial Inclusion, Health, Agriculture, Energy and Environment, and Social Protection.
Alvin Okari, Managing Director of Finserve Africa, walked the students through the role of innovation in Equity’s mission, with a focus on Equitel. “Equitel allows people in remote areas to access banking services anytime, send and receive money, pay bills, apply for loans, and manage savings,” he explained. “They can also make calls, browse the internet, and access vital information on health, education, and more—all through one platform.”
Okari noted that Equitel also supports environmental sustainability by operating as Kenya’s only telco without physical scratch cards and pioneering the launch of eSIMs, significantly reducing plastic waste.
Rising from a building society that survived insolvency in 1994 to rapidly growing and overtaking existing multinationals, Equity is now a centre of business excellence whose business model is a leading case study in many business schools around the world. In addition, many business schools, organizations and institutions regularly visit the Group for benchmarking exposure to learn firsthand about the brand, its evolution and business strategy.
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