KCB Group Plc (NSE: KCB), Kenya’s largest lender by assets, announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire a minority shareholding in Pesapal Limited, a regulated digital payments provider licensed by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK).
According to a public notice issued by KCB, the agreement was signed on 31 October 2025 and remains subject to customary regulatory approvals, including clearance by the Central Bank of Kenya and potentially the Competition Authority of Kenya.
Pesapal, established in 2009, provides merchant‑payment acceptance online, point‑of‑sale systems, and mobile‑money integrations across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Zambia.
KCB noted that the investment aligns with its strategy to enhance digital‑financial services and deepen its offering for small and micro enterprises (SMEs). “The investment sets the stage for the development of innovative payment and other related solutions for Kenya’s small and micro enterprises, enhancing value for shareholders of both Pesapal and KCB,” the statement said.
This marks KCB’s second major fintech investment in 2025 following its acquisition of a 75% stake in Riverbank Solutions Limited, a Nairobi‑based fintech firm.
Industry observers say the deal positions KCB as a more integrated player in East Africa’s payments ecosystem, combining traditional banking services with fintech infrastructure and merchant‑payment capabilities.
Completion of the transaction remains conditional on regulatory approval and other closing conditions.
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