The East African Development Bank (EADB) has appointed veteran banker Anne Juuko as its new Director General, placing an experienced regional financial executive at the helm of the development finance institution as it prepares for its next phase of growth.

Juuko takes up the position effective October 2, 2026, following her career spanning more than 20 years in banking, financial markets and executive leadership across East and Southern Africa.

Her appointment comes alongside a decision by the EADB Governing Council to introduce reforms aimed at improving the bank’s performance and strengthening its contribution to economic development across the region.

Juuko joins EADB from Standard Bank Group, where she was Regional Head of Global Markets for Eastern Africa. She previously served as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Stanbic Bank Uganda, Head of Corporate and Investment Banking at Standard Bank Namibia, and held senior positions at Citibank Kenya and Citibank Uganda.

Juuko takes charge as EADB posts strong growth

The leadership change comes at a time when EADB is reporting significant growth in its financial performance.

According to the bank, profit before tax rose by 51% in 2025, while loan disbursements increased by 140%. The bank also maintained investment-grade credit ratings of A from S&P Global and Baa3 from Moody’s, both with stable outlooks.

The figures provide Juuko with a relatively strong platform as she takes over the institution, but they also raise the bar for what comes next.

EADB is looking to build on its recent performance by expanding its development finance role, mobilising more long-term capital and strengthening partnerships that can help finance businesses and development projects across its member states.

Announcing her appointment in Kampala, EADB Governing Council Chairperson and Rwanda’s Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Yusuf Murangwa, described Juuko as a leader with extensive knowledge of African financial markets.

“Anne Juuko is a distinguished financial sector leader with a strong record of delivering growth across multiple African markets. Her deep understanding of the region’s economies, capital markets and development financing will be invaluable as EADB enters its next phase,” Murangwa said.

EADB plans reforms

The appointment is also part of a broader effort to strengthen the bank’s operations.

The Governing Council resolved to implement reforms intended to improve EADB’s performance and strengthen its governance. The council said the measures would build on progress already made while helping the bank deliver better results for its member states.

“Strong governance is the foundation of a credible development bank. The resolutions adopted today will help the Bank to build on the solid foundation already established to deliver better results to our Member States and the region,” Murangwa said.

The reforms will be closely watched as EADB seeks to increase its role in financing economic activity across East Africa. Development finance institutions operate in a different environment from commercial banks, often providing longer-term funding for projects and businesses that may require significant capital before generating returns.

For EADB, the challenge will be to turn its recent growth into sustained impact while maintaining the financial strength reflected in its investment-grade ratings.

Murangwa said the bank was entering the transition from a position of strength.

“The Bank has maintained a positive momentum and is well positioned for its next phase of growth. Ms. Juuko joins EADB at a pivotal moment, inheriting a strong foundation from which to accelerate the Bank’s transformation, unlock its considerable untapped potential, and deepen its impact across the region,” he said.

Juuko outlines priorities

Juuko said her immediate focus would be on strengthening EADB’s development finance mandate while finding new ways to raise long-term funding.

“It is a privilege to join an institution that has been in existence for almost sixty years, and I am excited to work with stakeholders across the region to build on that foundation and deliver even greater impact for future generations,” she said.

She identified three broad priorities: deepening EADB’s development finance role, unlocking new sources of long-term capital and building strategic partnerships.

“Building on the achievements of management and staff and supported by a Governing Council committed to excellence in governance, my priority will be to deepen the Bank’s development finance role, unlock new sources of long-term capital, and cultivate strategic partnerships that expand our reach and deliver lasting socio-economic impact across the region,” Juuko said.

Her background could prove useful in that task, particularly given her experience in corporate and investment banking, global markets and executive leadership in several African markets.

The transition also comes with recognition for Benard Mono, EADB’s Senior Director for Finance and Treasury, who led the institution on an interim basis.

The Governing Council thanked Mono for providing continuity and stability during the transition, allowing the bank to maintain operations while it prepared for the leadership change.