The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has approved the transfer of the business, assets and liabilities of Access Bank (Kenya) Plc to National Bank of Kenya Limited (NBK).
In a statement issued on September 23, the regulator said the transaction had received the necessary approvals.
“This follows the approval by CBK on August 17, 2026, under Section 13 (4) of the Banking Act and approval by the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning on September 21, 2026, pursuant to Section 9 (1) of the Banking Act,” the statement read in part.
According to CBK, the transfer will take effect once the transaction is completed in accordance with the terms of the Business and Assets Transfer Agreement between the parties.
The regulator added that the transaction will ensure continued stability, enhance the resilience of the Kenyan banking sector and promote competition.
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NBK’s History and Change in Ownership
NBK was incorporated in 1968 as a wholly owned Government entity with the objective of assisting Kenyans to access credit and control the economy after independence.
In September 2019, KCB Group Plc acquired 100 percent shareholding of NBK. Subsequently, in May 2025, Access Bank PLC acquired 100 percent of the issued share capital of NBK from KCB Group Plc.
Meanwhile, Access Bank PLC (Nigeria) entered the Kenyan market in February 2020, after acquiring 100 percent of the issued share capital of Transnational Bank Ple and renamed it Access Bank (Kenya) Plc. Transnational Bank Plc commenced its operations in December 1985.
Access Bank’s Regional Presence
Access Bank PLC was incorporated in February 1989 and is among the largest banking groups in Nigeria.
It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Access Holdings PLC and has subsidiaries in various African countries including; Botswana, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa and Zambia.
It also has a subsidiary in the United Kingdom and operates representative offices in China, India and Lebanon, and a branch in United Arab Emirates.
