The Board of Directors of Absa Bank Kenya PLC has appointed veteran finance executive Yusuf Omari as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect. The decision follows full regulatory and internal approvals, formalizing a role Omari had held on an interim basis since July 1, 2026, following the resignation of former CEO Abdi Mohamed.

Omari’s confirmation caps off more than two decades of service with the lender. He originally joined the institution in 2004, when it operated as Barclays Bank of Kenya, following a five-year tenure as a senior auditor at KPMG.

Before taking the top job, Omari served as the bank’s Chief Financial Officer starting in 2009. His career at Absa also includes crucial leadership roles as Head of Internal Audit for East and West Africa, as well as Head of Compliance. Notably, this marks Omari’s second stint leading the bank through a leadership transition; he previously served as Interim Managing Director between late 2022 and mid-2023 following the departure of Jeremy Awori.

With over 27 years of experience in the financial services sector, Omari brings a deep background in finance, treasury, risk management, governance, sustainability, and strategy. During his long tenure as CFO, he played a central role in strengthening the bank’s financial resilience, improving its cost-to-income ratio, optimizing capital allocation, and driving growth across the Corporate, Business, and Consumer Banking franchises. He has also been a key architect of the bank’s digital transformation, ecosystem banking, and sustainable finance initiatives.

Omari holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Nairobi and a Master of Business Administration from Strathmore Business School. He is an alumnus of the Advanced Management Programme offered jointly by Strathmore and IESE Business Schools. Professionally, he is a Certified Internal Auditor and a Fellow of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (FCPA), where he has also served as a board member. Additionally, he holds a board seat at University of Nairobi Enterprise Services.

Mohammed Nyaoga, Chairman of Absa Bank Kenya, welcomed the appointment: “Yusuf’s appointment reflects his proven ability to lead, deliver sustainable growth, and create long-term value. His extensive experience across the Bank, deep understanding of the Kenyan market, and strong track record of working with customers, colleagues, regulators, and other stakeholders position him strongly to lead Absa Bank Kenya into its next chapter. The Board is confident that under his leadership, the Bank will continue to strengthen its competitiveness, deepen customer relationships, and deliver sustainable growth.”