Ecobank Kenya has appointed Risper Alaro as a Non-Executive Director following approval by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), increasing women’s representation on the bank’s nine-member board to five.
The appointment raises women’s representation on the board to approximately 55.6%, strengthening the bank’s focus on gender diversity, inclusive leadership and corporate governance.
Alaro brings more than 25 years of experience in financial leadership, business transformation and organisational management. She currently serves as Group Finance Director at Centum Investment Company PLC, where she oversees financial leadership across the group’s diversified investment portfolio.
Her appointment adds extensive financial management and board-level governance experience to Ecobank Kenya as the lender pursues its growth ambitions in the Kenyan market.
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Who Is Risper Alaro?
Risper Alaro is a Kenyan corporate finance executive and board director known for her experience in financial leadership, investment management, business transformation and corporate governance.
She serves as Group Finance Director at Centum Investment Company PLC, one of the region’s investment groups with a diversified portfolio. In this role, Alaro provides financial leadership to support capital allocation, business performance and long-term value creation across the group.
Beyond her executive responsibilities, she has built experience in board governance across financial services, capital markets, climate-focused enterprise development and the non-profit sector.
Her appointment to the Ecobank Kenya board marks another step in her corporate leadership career, bringing her experience in finance and investment management to the oversight of a banking institution.
Risper Alaro’s Appointment to Ecobank Kenya Board
Ecobank Kenya announced Alaro’s appointment following approval by the Central Bank of Kenya, the country’s banking regulator.
The appointment increases the number of women serving on the bank’s nine-member board to five. Based on the stated board composition, women now account for approximately 55.6% of its membership.
In its announcement, the Ecobank Kenya Board said Alaro’s leadership experience would support the institution’s strategic direction.
“As Ecobank advances its growth ambitions and deepens its presence in Kenya, we are confident that Risper’s extensive leadership experience will bring valuable perspective to the Board’s oversight role in the Bank’s next chapter,” the board said.
Non-Executive Directors provide oversight and contribute to board deliberations on strategy, risk, governance and organisational performance. Alaro’s background in group finance and investment management is relevant to these responsibilities.
Risper Alaro’s Career at Centum Investment Company
Alaro currently serves as Group Finance Director at Centum Investment Company PLC, where she provides financial leadership across its diversified investment portfolio.
Her responsibilities, as described in the appointment announcement, include supporting disciplined capital allocation, business performance and long-term value creation.
Financial leadership at a diversified investment group requires an understanding of financial performance, investment priorities and resource allocation across different business interests. Alaro’s experience in this environment brings a group-wide perspective to her new board position at Ecobank Kenya.
Her professional background also includes business transformation and organisational leadership, areas that are important to companies seeking sustainable growth and effective financial management.
While her appointment announcement highlights more than 25 years of experience, a detailed chronology of her previous executive positions and educational qualifications was not provided.
Risper Alaro’s Board Memberships and Governance Experience
In addition to her executive role at Centum, Alaro serves on the boards of Kenya Climate Ventures and the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE).
She has also previously served on the boards of Bank of Kigali and Population Services International (PSI) Kenya.
These appointments reflect governance experience across several sectors, including financial services, capital markets, climate-related enterprise development and the non-profit sector.
Board service requires directors to contribute to oversight, accountability, strategic decision-making and the protection of organisational interests. Experience across different institutions can also expose directors to varied approaches to risk management, investment decisions and stakeholder engagement.
Alaro’s board experience complements her financial leadership background and broadens the professional expertise she brings to Ecobank Kenya.
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Ecobank Kenya’s Growing Representation of Women in Leadership
Alaro’s appointment follows other leadership changes at Ecobank Kenya involving women.
The bank appointed Rebecca Mbithi as Managing Director in February 2026 and business leader Flora Mutahi to its board in June 2026, according to the announcement provided.
Together with Alaro’s appointment, these changes highlight the bank’s stated commitment to increasing women’s participation in senior leadership and corporate governance.
With five women on a nine-member board, Ecobank Kenya’s board has a majority of female members based on the reported composition. This represents a significant feature of the bank’s current governance structure.
Women’s representation in boardrooms is an important corporate governance issue because boards help shape organisational strategy, supervise executive management and oversee risk. Representation figures alone, however, do not establish the effectiveness of a board; experience, independence, accountability and the quality of decision-making also matter.
What Risper Alaro’s Appointment Means for Ecobank Kenya
Alaro’s appointment brings financial and investment management experience to Ecobank Kenya’s board at a time when the bank says it is advancing its growth ambitions and deepening its presence in the country.
Her experience at Centum Investment Company, alongside her board roles in financial services and capital markets, provides relevant exposure to financial oversight and corporate governance.
As a Non-Executive Director, her role is distinct from that of the bank’s executive management. She will contribute through board-level oversight rather than day-to-day operational management.
The appointment also reinforces Ecobank Kenya’s reported emphasis on gender diversity in leadership, with women accounting for more than half of its board membership.
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Full Profile of Risper Alaro
Name: Risper Alaro
Profession: Corporate finance executive and board director
Current position: Group Finance Director, Centum Investment Company PLC
New appointment: Non-Executive Director, Ecobank Kenya
Appointment approval: Central Bank of Kenya
Professional experience: More than 25 years in financial leadership, business transformation and organisational leadership
Current board memberships: Kenya Climate Ventures and Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE)
Previous board memberships: Bank of Kigali and Population Services (PSI) Kenya
Areas of expertise: Financial leadership, investment management, capital allocation, business performance, corporate governance and organisational transformation
Known for: Senior financial leadership at Centum Investment Company and board-level experience across financial services, capital markets and other sectors
Educational qualifications: Not specified in the appointment information provided
Nationality: Not independently confirmed in the information provided
Frequently Asked Questions About Risper Alaro
Who is Risper Alaro?
Risper Alaro is a corporate finance executive and board director who serves as Group Finance Director at Centum Investment Company PLC. She has more than 25 years of experience in financial leadership, business transformation and organisational leadership.
What is Risper Alaro’s new role at Ecobank Kenya?
She has been appointed a Non-Executive Director of Ecobank Kenya following approval by the Central Bank of Kenya.
What is Risper Alaro’s current job?
Alaro is the Group Finance Director at Centum Investment Company PLC, where she provides financial leadership across the group’s diversified investment portfolio.
Which boards does Risper Alaro serve on?
She serves on the boards of Kenya Climate Ventures and the Nairobi Securities Exchange. She has also served on the boards of Bank of Kigali and Population Services Kenya.
How many women are on the Ecobank Kenya board?
Five of the bank’s nine board members are women, representing approximately 55.6% of the board.
How many years of experience does Risper Alaro have?
She has more than 25 years of experience in financial leadership, business transformation and organisational leadership.
Conclusion
Risper Alaro’s appointment to the Ecobank Kenya board adds another senior financial leader to the institution’s governance structure. Her experience as Group Finance Director at Centum Investment Company, combined with her board service across financial services, capital markets and other sectors, forms the foundation of her professional profile.
The appointment also raises women’s representation on Ecobank Kenya’s nine-member board to five, or approximately 55.6%, underscoring the bank’s stated focus on gender diversity and inclusive leadership.
As Ecobank Kenya continues to pursue its growth ambitions, Alaro’s new role places her among the non-executive directors responsible for contributing to the bank’s strategic oversight and corporate governance.
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