The Co-operative Bank of Kenya has been crowned SME Bank of the Year in Africa, cementing its position as one of the continent’s leading financiers of small and medium-sized enterprises.
The lender received the accolade during the 20th edition of the African Banker Awards held on the sidelines of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Annual Meetings in Brazzaville, Congo.
The awards recognise excellence, innovation and resilience across Africa’s banking and financial services sector, celebrating institutions and individuals driving transformation in the industry.
Co-op Bank emerged ahead of a competitive field of continental nominees due to its strong contribution to SME financing and economic empowerment, particularly in Kenya and the wider East African region.
The recognition further highlights the bank’s growing influence in advancing financial inclusion and supporting entrepreneurship.
The award comes against the backdrop of strong financial results for the year ended December 2025, during which the lender continued to deepen support for SMEs.
Co-op Bank reported a 16.9 per cent rise in net profit to Sh29.75 billion, while loans and advances grew to Sh421 billion.
The bank also remained among Kenya’s leading SME financiers, with industry data showing it disbursed billions of shillings to micro, small and medium enterprises in 2025 as banks accelerated lending to the sector.
Commenting on the recognition, Co-op Bank Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Gideon Muriuki said the award validates the lender’s long-standing commitment to supporting entrepreneurs across the region.
“We remain dedicated to walking alongside entrepreneurs, the true engine of job creation and inclusive economic growth, to unlock prosperity for millions of Kenyans and our neighbours in the region,” said Muriuki.
The latest recognition adds to a growing list of accolades for the bank. In recent months, Co-op Bank has also won the SME Financier of the Year Africa – Gold award and the Product Innovation of the Year (Africa) honour at the Global SME Finance Awards 2025.
Other major winners at the African Banker Awards included Ecobank, which was named Bank of the Year, while Serge Ekué, President of the West African Development Bank (BOAD), won the prestigious African Banker of the Year award.
CRDB was recognised as the Best Regional Bank in East Africa, Afreximbank won DFI of the Year, and the Nairobi Securities Exchange’s Ziidi Trader platform took home the Fintech of the Year award.
