Ecobank Kenya Limited has appointed Risper Alaro as a Non-Executive Director on its Board, following approval by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), bringing more than 25 years of experience in finance, business transformation, and organisational leadership to the lender.
The appointment, announced on October 29, 2026, comes as the bank pursues its growth ambitions and seeks to deepen its presence in the Kenyan market.
“Ecobank Kenya is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Risper Alaro to its Board as a Non-Executive Director, following approval by the Central Bank of Kenya. Risper has over 25 years of leadership experience, with expertise in finance, business transformation and organizational leadership,” part of the announcement read.
Alaro currently serves as Group Finance Director at Centum Investment Company PLC.
Who Is Risper Alaro?
Risper Alaro is a finance executive, corporate leader and professional coach with more than 25 years of experience in financial management, business transformation and organisational leadership.
She has built her career around financial strategy, operational efficiency, investment management and leadership development, serving in executive and board-level roles across several institutions.
Her background includes leading financial functions, building business support operations, and contributing to corporate governance across sectors.
Board Experience and Corporate Governance
As the Finance Director at Centum Investment, she provides financial leadership across the group’s investments and supports capital allocation.
Risper also oversees business performance and long-term value creation.
Before taking up her current position, Alaro established Centum Business Solutions Limited (CBS) and served as its inaugural Managing Director.
CBS provided integrated financial management, tax, human capital and technology services across the Centum Group.
In addition, the business supported the establishment and operationalisation of various subsidiaries while helping strengthen efficiency across the organisation.
Beyond her executive responsibilities, Alaro serves on the boards of Kenya Climate Ventures and the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE).
She previously served on the boards of the Bank of Kigali and Population Services Kenya.
Her board experience spans financial services, capital markets, and other institutional settings, giving her exposure to corporate governance, strategic decision-making, and organisational oversight.
Educational Background and Qualifications
Risper Alaro holds a Master’s degree in International Business Administration from the United States International University-Africa.
She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Moi University.
She is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and a member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK).
Further, she is also a Fellow of the Archbishop Desmond Tutu Africa Leadership Fellowship.
In addition to her financial and business qualifications, Alaro is a Certified Professional Coach. She combines her corporate leadership experience with coaching to support the development of leaders and institutions across East Africa.
About Ecobank Kenya
Ecobank Kenya Limited is a commercial bank and part of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), a pan-African banking group headquartered in Lomé, Togo.
The group entered the Kenyan market in June 2008 through the acquisition of a majority stake in EABS Bank before increasing its shareholding to 100 per cent in December 2016.
Ecobank Kenya serves individuals, small and medium-sized enterprises, corporate clients and financial institutions through a range of banking services.
Its offerings include deposit accounts, lending, payments, cash management, trade finance and other financial solutions for personal and business customers.
As part of the wider Ecobank Group, the Kenyan subsidiary operates within a regional network that supports cross-border payments, trade and financial connectivity across African markets.
Ecobank Group Reports $737 Million Profit in Nine Months
Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), the parent company of Ecobank Kenya, reported a 12 per cent increase in profit before tax to $737 million for the nine months ended September 2026.
The group’s revenue rose 12 per cent to $1.96 billion, while profit attributable to shareholders increased 17 per cent to $364 million, according to its earnings release dated October 28, 2026.
Customer deposits increased 14 per cent to $27.5 billion, while current and savings account deposits grew 16 per cent to $23.3 billion.
Payment revenue also rose 9% to $241 million, supported by wholesale payments, cards, and remittances.
“We achieved a profit before tax of $737 million, an increase of 12% year-on-year, and a return on tangible equity of 24.9%. Net revenue also grew by 12%, reaching $2.0 billion,” Jeremy Awori, CEO of Ecobank Group, stated.
The group’s cost-to-income ratio improved to 7.8 per cent, below its 2026 target range of 50 per cent.
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