Bank Al Habib Limited (BAHL), one of Pakistan’s leading private-sector banks, has announced its decision to withdraw from Kenya, bringing an end to its seven-year presence in East Africa. The move is part of the bank’s broader global restructuring initiative aimed at consolidating international operations, improving efficiency, and aligning with evolving strategic priorities.
The closure of BAHL’s Representative Office in Nairobi is scheduled for May 15, 2025, and will be conducted in full compliance with the Banking Act (Cap. 488, Laws of Kenya) and the related Prudential Guidelines. The bank emphasized that the decision follows all necessary regulatory protocols.
In an official statement, BAHL notified stakeholders and the public:
“BAHL hereby notifies its customers, the general public, stakeholders, and all interested parties that BAHL shall close down its Representative Office in Kenya with effect from May 15, 2025.”
Further elaborating on the rationale behind the move, the bank stated:
“The closure of the Representative Office follows a comprehensive strategic review undertaken by the Board of Directors of BAHL. Accordingly, BAHL shall terminate its presence in Kenya and cease all its operations effective May 15, 2025.”
A Seven-Year Presence in East Africa
BAHL entered the Kenyan market on April 18, 2018, with the establishment of its Nairobi Representative Office—its first operational footprint on the African continent. The office was primarily focused on liaison and marketing functions, with no license to conduct financial transactions or offer banking services locally.
Though limited in scope, the office was intended to assess business potential across Kenya and the broader East and Central African region.
While BAHL has not disclosed specific operational or market-driven factors behind its withdrawal, the decision reflects a global trend among financial institutions to streamline international activities. Increasingly, banks are narrowing their geographic footprints to focus on core markets and minimize exposure to regulatory complexity and operational overhead in less strategic regions.
Despite exiting Kenya, BAHL retains a substantial international presence, with operations in Bahrain, China, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, and the Seychelles. The exit highlights both the ambition and the challenges Pakistani banks face as they expand into diverse and competitive global markets.
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