Banking sector growth and digitalization in emerging markets

Financial institutions in Kenya, Ghana, and Pakistan continue to report strong growth and profitability. In Kenya, Absa Bank Kenya reported a half-year profit after tax of KSh 10.5 billion for the period ending June 30, 2026, supported by an 8% growth in customer assets and a 20% increase in income from its subsidiaries.

In Ghana, the 2026 PwC Banking Survey highlighted a robust sector where total industry deposits rose 25% to GH¢334.3 billion in 2025, and profit before tax increased nearly 40% to GH¢23 billion, driven by higher investment and trading income. GCB Bank, Ecobank Ghana, and Stanbic Bank maintain the largest market shares. Additionally, the Nkrankwanta Area Community Bank reported a 133% increase in profit after tax to GH¢3.46 million in 2025.

In Pakistan, ABHI Bank reported record performance with a profit after tax of PKR 1.502 billion for the first half of 2026, surpassing its total 2025 profit. The sector is also seeing a shift toward digital and self-service capabilities, such as ABHI Microfinance Bank’s ‘DIY Banking’ initiative and Bank Alfalah’s Digital Islamic Consumer Finance Centre in Karachi.

Broader regional developments include a 2% increase in profit after tax for Namibia’s Letshego Holdings to N$253.5 million in the first half of 2026. Furthermore, Standard Bank Group and UnionPay International have expanded e-commerce payment acceptance across nine African markets, including Botswana, Ghana, and Kenya, to facilitate cross-border trade.