The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has approved the merger of Access Bank (Kenya) Plc with National Bank of Kenya Limited (NBK) following regulatory approval of the transfer of the business, assets and liabilities of Access Bank (Kenya) Plc to National Bank of Kenya Limited.
CBK stated that it approved the transaction for the 17 th of August, 2026, and that the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning approved the transaction for the 21 st of September 2026 under section 13(4), and 9(1) of the Banking Act respectively.
The transfer shall become effective upon the closing of the transaction following the Business and Assets Transfer Agreement between the two institutions.
NBK is a Government owned organization registered in 1968 aiming to helping access to credit and contribute to economic development in the post, independence era. KCB Group purchased 100 percent ownership of NBK in September 2019 before Access Bank PLC’s purchase of the entire issued share capital of NBK in May 2025.
Access Bank entered Kenya in February 2020 after taking over Transnational Bank Plc that noted its commencement in 1985.
CBK said it’s happy with the deal as it will reinforce the ongoing stability, further improve the stability and build the resilience of the banking sector in Kenya and complement competition.
This deal is just another big step in the evolution of Kenya’s banking sector as it pushes towards integration and restructuring.
