Equity Bank has been named Bank of the Year at the 2025 Africa Safety Congress and AfriSAFE Awards, reaffirming its position as a regional leader in workplace safety, environmental management, and sustainability within the financial sector.
The AfriSAFE Awards—Africa’s foremost platform for celebrating excellence in health, safety, security, sustainability, and environmental stewardship—brought together industry leaders, regulators, and innovators for a two-day congress held from 13 to 14 November in Mombasa. The event concluded with a high-level awards ceremony honouring institutions driving Africa’s safety and sustainability agenda.
Equity Group Managing Director and CEO, Dr. James Mwangi, said the recognition reflects the Group’s ongoing commitment to responsible and sustainable banking.
“Safety, sustainability, and the well-being of our people form the foundation of our business. This recognition reflects the deliberate investments we continue to make to ensure our operations remain safe, compliant, and environmentally responsible across all our markets,” Dr. Mwangi said.
He added: “We view this award not just as a milestone, but as inspiration to keep raising the bar on what responsible financial institutions can achieve.”
Equity Bank’s win came after a rigorous multi-stage evaluation conducted by a panel of seven distinguished judges from five global regions, including renowned human rights attorney and scholar Prof. Gloria J. Browne-Marshall.
The judges praised the Bank for its strong performance across key Health, Safety, Security, Environment and Sustainability (HSSES) pillars, citing its robust Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) compliance, advanced HSE programmes, well-developed sustainability systems, and comprehensive staff well-being initiatives. The Bank’s Health, Safety and Environment Management System (HSEMS) was highlighted as a leading framework in the sector.
AfriSAFE noted that Equity Bank demonstrated exemplary safety and sustainability practices across its operations in Kenya, Rwanda, and South Sudan. The Bank’s focus on continuous employee training, welfare, and regulatory compliance further cemented its reputation as a model institution in workplace safety. These efforts have also strengthened confidence among regulators, partners, and customers.
By securing the AfriSAFE 2025 Bank of the Year Award, Equity Bank joins a distinguished group of organisations recognized for championing a safer, healthier, and more sustainable Africa. The accolade reinforces AfriSAFE’s mission to promote innovation, foster cross-sector collaboration, and elevate HSSES standards across the continent.