Absa Group CEO Kenny Fihla visits Uganda on East Africa tour

KAMPALA, Uganda — Absa Group CEO Kenny Fihla visited Uganda this week as part of his first strategic East Africa roadshow since taking over the role last month. The visit is aimed at strengthening relationships with clients, colleagues and stakeholders across the region.

The roadshow, which also included a stop in Tanzania, is designed to engage with key clients, government officials and Absa employees to reinforce the group’s strategic priorities and explore new opportunities for growth and collaboration. In Uganda, Fihla held high-level meetings with local leadership and stakeholders, as well as internal engagements with Absa Uganda teams.

“Uganda is a country of vast potential, and we are proud to be part of its growth journey,” Fihla said. “Our visit is a reaffirmation of Absa’s commitment to our clients and colleagues in Uganda. We are here to listen, to learn, and to ensure that our strategy continues to reflect the needs of the communities we serve. Customer centricity is not just a value — it’s a way of working that drives everything we do.”

Uganda’s economic outlook for 2025 remains positive, with projected growth supported by strong performance in the energy, agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and information and communication technology sectors. According to the World Bank, the country’s Gross Domestic Product growth accelerated to about 6% in fiscal year 2024, up from 5.3% the previous year, driven by broad-based expansion in services and industry. The African Development Bank’s Country Focus Report 2025 highlights Uganda’s improving monetary policy framework, stable inflation and resilient exchange rate regime as key enablers of sustainable development.

“We are honored to host our Group Chief Executive Officer in Uganda,” said David Wandera, managing director, Absa Bank Uganda. “His visit reaffirms Absa’s long-term commitment to this market and underscores Uganda’s strategic importance within the Group’s pan-African footprint. This engagement offers a valuable opportunity to connect with stakeholders, reflect on our progress, and ensure alignment with the Group’s broader vision. Absa Uganda remains focused on innovating for our customers, growing with our clients, and playing an active role in the nation’s sustainable development journey.”

Absa’s presence in Uganda continues to evolve, with a focus on innovation, financial inclusion and empowering local talent. This initial roadshow is part of a broader effort to align group strategy with regional priorities and to ensure Absa remains a trusted partner in East Africa’s transformation.

Absa Group Limited, listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, is one of Africa’s largest diversified financial services groups. It offers an integrated set of products and services across personal and business banking, corporate and investment banking, wealth and investment management, and insurance.

Absa Group holds majority stakes in banks in Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania (Absa Bank Tanzania and National Bank of Commerce), Uganda and Zambia, and has insurance operations in Kenya and South Africa. Absa also has offices in the People’s Republic of China, Namibia, Nigeria and the United States, as well as securities entities in the United Kingdom and the United States, along with technology support colleagues in the Czech Republic.