Top 10 Companies in Kenya
Discover the top 10 list of the largest companies in Kenya, compiled and published by the MarcoPolis research team. The list includes companies such as Safaricom, East African Breweries, Equity Bank, Kenya Commercial Bank, British American Tobacco, etc.
List of the Leading Companies in Kenya
With a growing economy, one of the most innovative banking systems in the world, oil and gas, as well as all around technology, Kenya, which is described as “the cradle of humanity”, is one of the countries putting East Africa on the global stage.
From 2004 until 2016, annual GDP averaged 5.43 percent in Kenya. Economic progress was halted between 2007 and 2008 due to violence related to the elections and global financial crisis. Despite all the challenges, Kenya is the fourth largest economy in sub-Saharan Africa (after Nigeria, South Africa and Angola). As of Q1 2016, significant growth in the tourism sector is happening, showing strong signs of recovery after a long period of struggle.
The top 10 list of the largest companies in Kenya is created by taking into account each company’s latest annual report. When a 2015 report wasn’t available, the most recent report conducted by each company was included. The list includes companies such as Safaricom, East African Breweries, Equity Bank, Kenya Commercial Bank, British American Tobacco, etc.
Top 10 Companies in Kenya
Marcopolis.net presents the top 10 companies in Kenya. The largest companies in Kenya rankings are based on the findings of the Marcopolis.net research team.
The List
| Rank | Company | Country | Industry | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kenya | Telecom | Safaricom provides voice, data, financial services and enterprise solutions for a range of subscribers, small businesses and government, using a variety of platforms. As the biggest communication company in East and Central Africa, Safaricom serves over 25.1 million subscribers, providing over 200,000 touch points for its customers and offering over 100 different products under its portfolio. | |
| 2 | Kenya | Beverages | East African Breweries Limited (EABL) is East Africa’s leading branded alcohol beverage business with an outstanding collection of brands that range from beer, spirits and adult non alcoholic drinks (ANADs) reaffirming its standing as a total adult beverage (TAB) company. The group has breweries, distilleries, support industries and a distribution network across the entire region. | |
| 3 | Kenya | Banking | Equity Bank was founded in October 1984. It is the largest bank in the region in terms of market capitalization, profitability and customer base. It is licensed under the Kenya Banking Act, and continues to offer retail banking, microfinance and related services. The bank has operations in Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda and Tanzania, and is listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange and Uganda Securities Exchange. | |
| 4 | Kenya | Banking | Kenya Commercial Bank Limited is registered as a non-operating holding company which started operations as a licensed banking institution with effect from January 1, 2016. The holding company oversees KCB Kenya – incorporated with effect from January 1, 2016 – and all KCB’s regional units in Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia and South Sudan. It also owns KCB Insurance Agency, KCB Capital, KCB Foundation and all associate companies. | |
| 5 | Kenya | Tobacco | British American Tobacco Kenya is part of a global organization operating in a diverse and highly competitive market. BAT Group’s business in Kenya began in 1907 and the company is committed to maintaining its position as Kenya’s leading tobacco company. British American Tobacco engages in tobacco leaf growing through a strong group of approximately 5,000 farmers across the country, mainly concentrated in Migori, Bungoma and Meru counties. | |
| 6 | Kenya | Banking | Standard Chartered Bank Kenya Limited was established in 1911 with the first branch opened in Mombasa Treasury Square. Today, 101 years later, Standard Chartered Bank is one of the leading banks in Kenya, with an excellent franchise. It has a total of 33 branches spread across the country, 90 automated teller machines (ATMs) and 1,698 employees. | |
| 7 | Kenya | Banking | The Co-operative Bank of Kenya Limited was initially registered under the Co-operative Societies Act at the point of founding in 1965. This status was retained up to and until June 27th 2008 when the Bank’s Special General Meeting resolved to incorporate under the Companies Act with a view to complying with the requirements for listing on the Nairobi Stock Exchange (NSE). | |
| 8 | Kenya | Building Materials | LafargeHolcim was born of the merger of equals by Lafarge and Holcim in 2015. With over 180 years of combined experience, the united group aims to usher in a new era of leading-edge technologies and innovations in the building materials industry, in order to address the challenges of the 21st century. Bamburi Cement is also a provider of building materials, engaged in the manufacture and sale of cement and cement related products. | |
| 9 | Kenya | Banking | Barclays has operated in Kenya for over 100 years. With an extensive footprint of over 100 outlets and over 210 ATMs spread across the country, the bank boasts of years of superb financial performance that has built confidence among its shareholders, as well as a reputation as one of the leading blue chip companies on the Nairobi Stock Exchange. The bank also has robust Internet and Mobile Banking platforms as well as a 24/7 call centre that offers superior service to all customers. | |
| 10 | Kenya | Banking | Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) is a leading regional bank, listed on the Nairobi Stock Exchange. DTB has operated in East Africa for over 70 years, with a focus on the SME sector. DTB plays a vital role in the growth of East Africa’s economy through enabling more people to come under financial inclusion by serving individual consumers, small and middle-sized businesses and large corporations, with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. |