The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has announced the closure of Bank Al-Habib Limited’s (BAHL) representative office in the country, following the cancellation of its operating authority. The office officially ceased operations on May 15, 2025.
According to CBK statement dated June 30 225 the decision was made pursuant to Section 43 of the Banking Act, after the Pakistani lender opted to rationalize its foreign operations.
“The Central Bank of Kenya announces the cancellation of the authority granted to Bank Al-Habib Ltd (BAHL) of Pakistan to operate BAHL Representative Office in Kenya, pursuant to Section 43 of the Banking Act. BAHL’s exit from Kenya, effective May 15, 2025, follows a strategic decision by BAHL to rationalize its foreign operations,” the statement read.
BAHL, headquartered in Karachi, Pakistan, is a commercial bank that offers retail and corporate banking, alongside international trade finance services. Its Kenyan representative office, established in 2018, mainly functioned as a marketing and liaison arm for the parent bank and its global affiliates.
The CBK granted BAHL approval to set up its representative office on April 9, 2018. The regulator assured stakeholders that the closure was part of BAHL’s global strategy and did not reflect any regulatory concerns.
This development marks the exit of yet another foreign bank from the Kenyan market as players review their strategies in the face of shifting global and regional dynamics.
