Who We Are

We trace our genesis back to a group of motivated Kenyans who envisioned an Islamic bank as an alternative to conventional banking in 2005. This bank would conduct business on the principles of Shari’ah and provide an ethical and fair banking for all. The bank would leverage strong links to between the Gulf and Africa to establish a channel for attractive investments in Kenya and its name would bear the symbol of partnership: The Gulf African Bank.

We became the first Islamic Bank in Kenya incorporated on August 9th 2006 and was fully operational on January 8th 2008 as Kenya’s first fully fledged commercial banking license from the Central Bank of Kenya as a dedicated Islamic bank.

Since 2008, we have been an active part of the growth seen in Kenya’s financial sector, offering a one-stop financing and business development centre for corporates, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and retail segments. We have a strong dedication to accelerating growth in the banking sector that will lead to economic development.

Vision

The Shari’ah Compliant Bank of Choice

Our Mission

To provide innovative and competitive financial solutions professionally through principles of fairness and integrity while enhancing the wellbeing of our customers, staff and the community

Our Values

    • Customer First
    • Getting things done right
    • All in to win
    • Better is possible

Who we are

Gulf African Bank (GAB) is a premier SME bank in Kenya operating on Shari’ah principles. We are an SME focused financial partner that exist to ensure your business grows. We actively participate in building the SME sector offering a one-stop financing and business development services to effectively accelerate the sector’s growth in your business and the country.

Our Awards

2016 Awards:

  • Fastest Growing Bank, Kenya – Think Business Banking Awards
  • Best Bank, Tier III (2nd Runners up) – Think Business Banking Awards

2017 Awards:

  • Best Islamic Bank, Kenya – Islamic Finance News Awards
  • Best Islamic Bank, Kenya – Global Banking and Finance Review

2018 Awards:

  • Best Islamic Bank, Kenya 2018 – Islamic Finance news Awards.
  • Best Islamic Bank Kenya – Think Business Banking Awards 2018.
  • 2nd Runners up for the Best Bank in Tier III – Think Business Banking Awards 2018.
  • Best Islamic Bank East Africa – Banker Africa (East Africa Awards 2018)
  • Strongest Islamic Bank in Kenya, 2018 – Islamic Retail Banking Awards
  • Critic’s Choice, Most Promising Leader in Islamic Retail Banking 2018 awarded to Abdalla Abdulkhalik – Islamic Retail Banking Awards

2019 Awards:

  • Best Islamic Bank Kenya – Think Business Banking Awards 2019.
  • Best Bank – Automotive/Logbook Based Financing (Asset Finance)

2020 Awards:

  • Best Islamic Bank Kenya – Think Business Banking Awards 2020.
  • Best Bank in Product marketing – Think Business Banking Awards 2020.

2022 Awards:

World Economic Magazine Awards

  • Best Islamic Retail Bank Kenya 2022
  • Best Islamic Corporate Bank 2022
  • Best Islamic Bank in Product Marketing Kenya 2022

Global Retail Banking Innovation Awards

  • Mortgage product of the Year

Think Business Banking Awards, 2022

  • Awarded the Best Bank in Mortgage Finance,
  • Best Bank in Product Innovation
  • Best Bank in Islamic Banking

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