Mohammed Nyaoga to Lead Absa Bank Kenya as Board Chairman Starting October
Mohammed Nyaoga takes the reins at Absa Bank Kenya as the institution looks to balance innovation with steady governance
Absa Bank Kenya has tapped former Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) chairman Mohammed Nyaoga as its new board chair, effective October 1, 2025. His appointment comes just weeks after he joined the lender as an independent non-executive director, signaling Absa’s intent to lean on his deep experience in financial governance and law.
A Transition at the Top
Nyaoga will replace Charles Muchene, who exits after completing the maximum nine-year term on the board. Muchene’s tenure, marked by resilience through regulatory changes and the rebranding from Barclays to Absa, leaves behind what many in the banking sector view as a steadying influence.
“It has been a privilege to lead Absa through a period of change, growth and resilience,” Muchene said in his farewell note, adding that the bank remains well-positioned to sustain its growth momentum.
A Career Steeped in Governance
Few names carry as much weight in Kenya’s governance and financial circles as Nyaoga. A senior partner at Mohammed Muigai LLP, he has practiced law for more than four decades. His banking credentials include leading Ecobank Kenya’s board before his appointment to chair the CBK in 2015, a role he held until mid-2023.
Beyond Kenya, Nyaoga has become a familiar figure in international governance work. Earlier this year, the African Development Bank appointed him to head its Disclosure and Access to Information Appeals Panel. In 2023, he chaired an external IMF panel that reviewed governance frameworks of central banks worldwide, a task aimed at minimizing risks linked to misuse of loans and defaults.
He is also a corporate governance trainer with the IMF and holds certifications from the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School, the American SEC, and the Commonwealth Association of Corporate Governance.
Why His Appointment Matters
Absa Bank Kenya, like many lenders, is navigating a fast-changing landscape where digital transformation, regulatory pressures, and shifting customer expectations are reshaping traditional banking. Nyaoga’s background straddling law, regulation, and governance could give the bank an edge as it balances compliance with innovation.
“The global, regional and local financial landscape continues to evolve,” Nyaoga said upon his appointment. “I look forward to working with the board and management to advance our strategic priorities and deliver sustainable value to customers, colleagues, shareholders, and the communities we serve.”
Looking Ahead
For Absa, the leadership change marks more than a routine succession. It’s a statement of intent: that strong governance and regulatory foresight will remain at the core of its strategy. With Nyaoga’s appointment, the bank is betting on continuity, but also on the kind of steady hand that understands both the intricacies of financial law and the demands of modern banking.
Go to TECHTRENDSKE.co.ke for more tech and business news from the African continent.
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