PROF. ISAAC MACHARIA

NON-EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN

Isaac holds a Master of Medicine in Otorhinolaryngology, Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Nairobi and is a Fellow of the College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA). He is a Professor of ENT, Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Nairobi. Isaac is the East African regional advisor for CBM in Ear and Hearing Care as well as being the Regional Secretary for Africa and the Middle East for the International Federation of Otorhinolaryngological Societies (IFOS). He is a past President of the Pan African Federation of Otorhinolaryngological Societies (PAFOS) and is a member of The Starkey Hearing Foundation Global Initiative Advisory Board. Prof Macharia was the founder Chairman of the Allergy Society of Kenya and the Cochlear Implant Group of Kenya (CIGOK). He is Chairman of Savannah Informatics, Jadala Investments and Co-founder as well as Chairman, Otolaryngology Associates and Nairobi ENT Clinic.

DR. JAMES MWANGI, CBS

GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

James holds five honorary doctorate degrees in recognition of his positive impact to the Kenyan society. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and is a Certified Public Accountant. He has been honoured thrice with National Presidential Awards: The First Class Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear (CBS), the Moran of the Burning Spear (MBS) and Head of State Commendation (HSC).

On the global front, he has won several awards including the G8 Global Vision Award, 2007. He was named among the Top 50 Emerging Market Business Leaders and the 20 most influential people in Africa in 2011; the World Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young in 2012; the Forbes Africa Person of the Year in 2012 and was recently named in the Bloomberg 50 list of people who defined 2019 globally. He is an honoree of the 2020 Oslo Business for Peace Award, also described as the ‘Nobel Prize for Business’.

On the regional front, James was also recognized as the Africa Investor Awards, CEO of the Year in 2009 and 2015; Innovation Leader of the Year in 2012; African Business Leader of the Year in 2013 and African Banker of the Year in 2010, 2011 and 2017 at the African Banker Awards. He was also named the Banker of the Year during the Banker Africa (East Africa) Awards in 2017 and 2018, and named African CEO of the year by the African Business Leadership 2020 Awards. Locally, he has received the Think Business CEO of the Year award for the last 4 years.

James has served on board and advisory roles at the Global Advisory Council for VISA Inc., the Clinton Global Initiative, The G8 New Alliance For Food Security And Nutrition, US President Barack Obama’s Initiative for Global Development, the G20 Advisory Board of Agriculture and Initiative for Global Development and The Global Agenda Council on New Economic Thinking of the World Economic Forum from 2003-2007. He also served as the Founding Chair of Kenya’s Vision 2030 from inception in 2007 to 2019.

He currently serves on several international bodies as an advisor and was appointed to the Nairobi Advisory Board of Columbia Global Centres. He is a member of the continent-wide PACT initiative, a Board member of the Economic Advisory Board of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), The Mastercard MEA Advisory Board, the Africa Leadership Academy in South Africa, the Global Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition. He is also a guest lecturer at Stanford, Columbia, MIT, Harvard, IESE and Lagos Business School where Equity Bank Business Model is a case study. Locally, he is the Chancellor of Meru University College of Science and Technology and the Chairman of the Health Committee of Kenya COVID-19 Fund Board.

MARY WAMAE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Mary holds a Master’s degree in Leading Innovation and Change from York St. John University, UK, a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Nairobi and a Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law. She is a graduate of Advanced Management Programme (Strathmore - IESE Business School, Barcelona Spain) and Advanced Management Programme at Harvard Business School.

She is a Certified Public Secretary (Kenya) and member of The Institute of Certified Public Secretaries of Kenya (ICPSK), Law Society of Kenya, Women Corporate Directors and the Kenya Section of International Commission of Jurists. She is a graduate of Advanced Management Programme (Strathmore - IESE Business School, Barcelona Spain) and Advanced Management Programme at Harvard Business School. She is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Gender and Development and has over 15 years’ experience in private legal practice.

DR. EDWARD ODUNDO PhD,MBS

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Edward holds a PhD in Business Administration (Strategic Management) from The University of Nairobi, MBA degree in Strategic Management and Marketing and a BSc Degree in Finance and Accounting. He is also an alumnus of Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government (HSB), London School of Economics (LSE) and holds membership in several professional bodies (FCPA, FCPS, FKIM, ICIFA). He is the former Chief Executive Officer of Retirement Benefits Authority (Kenya) and former Director, Nairobi Securities Exchange.

He is the Director, School of Pension and Retirement Studies (SPRS), Chairman of the Public Service Superannuation Scheme, Kenya (PSSS) and a lecturer at the University of Nairobi, School of Business as well as a Consultant in Pensions, Tax, Corporate Governance and Financial Services. He is a recipient of the Moran of the Order of The Burning Spear (MBS). He is a published author having authored a book titled ‘The Doctrine of Strategic Planning’.

EVELYN RUTAGWENDA

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Evelyn holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Makerere University, Kampala. She is a Certified Public Accountant and member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Rwanda (ICPAR). She previously worked as the Auditor General for the Republic of Rwanda; as the Secretary General of Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UNCCI); consultant/project accountant for Decentralization Secretariat (Institutional Capacity Building Project); Ministry of Local Government, Uganda and also as Chief Auditor at UCA Auditing Services among others. Evelyn spearheaded the formation of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Rwanda (ICPAR) and subsequently served the Institute in various capacities including, Chairperson of the Interim Governing Council, Ex Officio and elected member of the Governing Council. In 2009, she received an ACCA Achievements Award for her outstanding contribution to developing the accountancy and finance profession. She is currently the Chair-MTN Rwanda and Crystal Telecom Limited Boards, Vice-Chair, Rwanda Development Board and previously served on the Board of Victoria Motors Rwanda from July 2013 to September 2019.

VIJAY GIDOOMAL

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Vijay qualified as a lawyer from Clifford Chance in the UK in 1992. He has worked in various capacities with Car & General and has seen the company grow regionally with representation in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Seychelles, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Somalia. He is an active member of the Young Presidents Association, its past Chairman (Kenya Chapter) and regional board member.

DR. HELEN GICHOHI, MBS, OGW

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Helen holds a PhD. in Ecology from the University of Leicester in the UK, Master of Science degree in Biology of Conservation from the University of Nairobi and a BSc in Zoology from Kenyatta University respectively. Helen is currently serving as the part-time Ambassador for Conservation in Africa for Fauna and Flora International. She has held various positions including Managing Director of Equity Group Foundation, president of African Wildlife Foundation and Managing Director of African Conservation Center. She is a recipient of the Charlotte Wyman Trust’s Women in Conservation Program, the Order of Great Warrior and the Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (MBS). She won the Giai Environmental Award in 2012 at The WIFTs Foundation International Visionary Awards. Helen serves on the boards of Bamburi Cement Limited and OlPejeta Conservancy and previously served on the Africa Wildlife Foundation and Kenya Wildlife Service Boards. She also serves on the Advisory Board of the Stockholm based EAT Forum.

Christopher Newson

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Christopher holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree and a Certification in Theory of Accounting (CTA) from the University of Cape Town. He is a Chartered Accountant of South Africa and completed a Columbia Senior Executive Program. Christopher is finance grounded former Chief Executive, Senior Advisor and Non-Executive Director with 29 years of unique Investment and Commercial Banking and Alternative Asset Management expertise, principally covering Sub Saharan Africa.

He spent 24 years with the Standard Bank Group in several executive roles including Director of Corporate and Investment Bank, CEO of Stanbic IBTC in Nigeria and the CEO for Africa. He was a member of Stanbic Holdings Limited Board and Stanbic Bank Kenya Limited Board. More recently, he was the Director for Private Markets at Investec Asset Management (now Ninety One Asset Management). He is the current Non-Executive Chairman of Distell International Holdings Ltd and Executive Director of Bayport.

Christine Browne

COMPANY SECRETARY

Christine is a Chevening alumnus who holds a Master of Laws from UCL - University of London. She is an accomplished legal practitioner and has previously worked at The World Bank and the Industrial Promotion Services (K) Limited (IPS). She joined the Group in 2014 after a six year stint as Principal Counsel at East African Development Bank. Prior to her current position, she was the General Manager for Legal, Corporate Banking, Equity Bank (Kenya) Ltd. Christine is a member of Law Society of Kenya, Institute of Certified Public Secretaries of Kenya and International Commission of Jurists, Kenya Section.

DR. James Mwangi , CBS

GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

James holds five honorary doctorate degrees in recognition of his positive impact to the Kenyan society. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and is a Certified Public Accountant. He has been honoured thrice with National Presidential Awards: The First Class Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear (CBS), the Moran of the Burning Spear (MBS) and Head of State Commendation (HSC).

On the global front, he has won several awards including the G8 Global Vision Award, 2007. He was named among the Top 50 Emerging Market Business Leaders and the 20 most influential people in Africa in 2011; the World Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young in 2012; the Forbes Africa Person of the Year in 2012 and was recently named in the Bloomberg 50 list of people who defined 2019 globally. He is an honoree of the 2020 Oslo Business for Peace Award, also described as the ‘Nobel Prize for Business’.

On the regional front, James was also recognized as the Africa Investor Awards, CEO of the Year in 2009 and 2015; Innovation Leader of the Year in 2012; African Business Leader of the Year in 2013 and African Banker of the Year in 2010, 2011 and 2017 at the African Banker Awards. He was also named the Banker of the Year during the Banker Africa (East Africa) Awards in 2017 and 2018, and named African CEO of the year by the African Business Leadership 2020 Awards. Locally, he has received the Think Business CEO of the Year award for the last 4 years.

James has served on board and advisory roles at the Global Advisory Council for VISA Inc., the Clinton Global Initiative, The G8 New Alliance For Food Security And Nutrition, US President Barack Obama’s Initiative for Global Development, the G20 Advisory Board of Agriculture and Initiative for Global Development and The Global Agenda Council on New Economic Thinking of the World Economic Forum from 2003-2007. He also served as the Founding Chair of Kenya’s Vision 2030 from inception in 2007 to 2019.

He currently serves on several international bodies as an advisor and was appointed to the Nairobi Advisory Board of Columbia Global Centres. He is a member of the continent-wide PACT initiative, a Board member of the Economic Advisory Board of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), The Mastercard MEA Advisory Board, the Africa Leadership Academy in South Africa, the Global Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition. He is also a guest lecturer at Stanford, Columbia, MIT, Harvard, IESE and Lagos Business School where Equity Bank Business Model is a case study. Locally, he is the Chancellor of Meru University College of Science and Technology and the Chairman of the Health Committee of Kenya COVID-19 Fund Board.

Mary Wamae

GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Mary holds a Master’s degree in Leading Innovation and Change from York St. John University, UK, a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Nairobi and a Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law. She is a graduate of Advanced Management Programme (Strathmore - IESE Business School, Barcelona Spain) and Advanced Management Programme at Harvard Business School.

She is a Certified Public Secretary (Kenya) and member of The Institute of Certified Public Secretaries of Kenya (ICPSK), Law Society of Kenya, Women Corporate Directors and the Kenya Section of International Commission of Jurists. She is a graduate of Advanced Management Programme (Strathmore - IESE Business School, Barcelona Spain) and Advanced Management Programme at Harvard Business School. She is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Gender and Development and has over 15 years’ experience in private legal practice.

Brent Malahay

GROUP DIRECTOR STRATEGY, STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS & INVESTOR RELATIONS

Brent holds a Master’s degree in Economics and a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. He has over 16 years’ experience in financial services with competencies ranging from commercial banking, credit ratings, investment banking and fund management. He has previously worked at Standard Bank, Fitch Ratings, J.P. Morgan and Investec Asset Management. Brent has worked at Equity Group since 2016.

Polycarp Igathe

GROUP CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER

Polycarp holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Sociology from the University of Nairobi and is a graduate of the Strathmore University’s Advanced Management Program (AMP) with IESE Business School in Spain. Prior to his appointment, he was the Executive Vice President for Sales and Marketing in Africa at Vivo Energy. He has also successfully served in leading corporate entities as MD Equity Bank (Kenya) Limited, Regional MD East Africa of Tiger Brands International, MD of Haco Industries, Wines of the World and Vivo Energy. He has also held senior commercial roles as Sales and Marketing Manager at Coca-Cola SABCO, Africa Online and Marketing Manager at Kenya Breweries Ltd.

He has served as Chairman, Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM); Chairman, Petroleum Institute of East Africa (PIEA); Director & Trustee, Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) and Chair, Board of Management at BG Ngandu Girls High School. Prior to joining Equity Bank in 2018 he served as the Deputy Governor in the Nairobi County Government. Polycarp is celebrated as a Warrior of the Marketing Society of Kenya (MSK), Savant of Marketing by Marketing Africa Magazine and a Savant of Policy Advocacy by the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM).

David Ngata

GROUP DIRECTOR, FINANCE

David holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Nairobi and a Master’s of Science in Business Analytics from Carnegie Mellon University. He is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya. He has over 20 years global working experience in the financial services industry. Prior to joining Equity Bank in 2018, he worked at American Express, where he held various roles including leading the global internal audit data analytics practice. He has also specialized in the audit of banking institutions, leasing companies, investment banks and broker dealers with KPMG in New York and Kenya.

LANRE BAMISEBI

GROUP CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER

Lanre Bamisebi holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computing & Information Technology from the University of Derby, UK and Masters in Business Administration from Durham Business School, UK. He is currently undertaking a PhD in USIU, Nairobi-Kenya. He is a seasoned IT professional with over 20 years in management experience. He has vast knowledge and has managed IT in 22 African countries. His work experience in the information systems sector spans across consulting, telcom, oil and gas, banking and fintech. Before joining Equity, he worked in other capacities across the African region as follows; Chief Information Officer at Access Bank, Group Chief Information Officer at Diamond Bank and United Bank for Africa (UBA), Head of IT Projects at MTN Nigeria and Director, Finance & IT at Starcomms.

James Mutuku

GROUP DIRECTOR, TREASURY AND TRADE FINANCE

James holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Sociology from Egerton University. He has over 20 years’ experience in Treasury business having worked as a treasury dealer for Co-operative Bank of Kenya, Head of Money Markets and Fixed Income at KCB Kenya and the East Africa Head of Asset Liability Management (ALM) for Standard Chartered Bank Kenya. Before joining Equity Bank, he was the immediate country Head of Financial Markets for Standard Chartered Bank Uganda, where he also doubled up as the Co-Head SCB Uganda Wholesale Bank. He brings a wealth of experience in balance sheet management, fixed income trading and general treasury management. He joined Equity Bank in 2016.

GLORIA BYAMUGISHA

GROUP CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER

Gloria is a HR professional who holds a BBA in Business Administration and Management, an Msc. in Human Resource Management (PGD Award), an MBA in Finance and Administration and a Certificate in Strategic Business Analysis. She is an alumni of Uganda Martyrs University, the University of Bedfordshire, the University of Westminster and London Business School. She is professionally certified in the following areas; job evaluation, leadership training, performance management, leadership psychometrics (PI) and change management. With over 19 years of experience in Human Resource Management, she has worked in the following industries; public sector, telecommunications and banking. Additionally, she has work experience in more than 10 countries.

JOY DIBENEDETTO

GROUP DIRECTOR, COMMUNICATIONS

Joy holds a Bachelor’s degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology from Marymount Manhattan College in New York City. She is an award-winning entrepreneurial communications professional; a veteran journalist and media executive whose focus has always been global. She is the Founder of the international content and information company -HUM: Human Unlimited Media, Inc. (AKA, HUMNEWS.COM) and has covered major international events – from the studio and in the field – as a storyteller, producer and diplomat for more than 25 years. A founding partner in the C5 Collective, she has maximized the impact and brand awareness of social innovators, corporations, NGO’s, media, academia, and service organizations worldwide. She is the Immediate Past President/CEO of the Nobel Peace Prize-nominated Friendship Force International (FFI); and was previously the global Vice President of Network Booking and Research for CNN Worldwide; starting her career in Corporate Finance with Turner Broadcasting. Her career squarely spans the media industry as well as humanitarian interests and always builds on the intersection of both for the greatest social impact.

JOHN WILSON

GROUP CHIEF RISK OFFICER

John is a graduate of the Swedish Military Academy and holds a Master of Arts in Economics from Uppsala University and a Master of Public Affairs from Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University. John began his career at McKinsey & Co in Europe and the former Soviet Union, focusing on manufacturing, transportation and infrastructure companies. He then joined the World Bank Private Sector Development Department working on privatization in Cameroon, Ghana, Malawi, Russia and Ukraine, and was thereafter seconded to the IFC Global Capital Markets Department. Returning to his native Sweden, John built the Export & Project Finance department at Swedbank, and then headed up Structured Finance, Equity Capital Markets, Investor Relations and Corporate Strategy including M&A. In 2006, he joined Kaupthing Bank as Head of Investment Banking and then returned to IFC in 2008. Prior to joining Equity Group in August 2019 as Group Chief Operating Officer, John was a Manager in the financial sector in Sub-Saharan Africa for the International Finance Corporation, the private sector development arm of the World Bank Group. Before that, he was responsible for IFC’s banking experts and risk management advisory services as global Head of Banking, and before that a Principal Banking Specialist covering sub-Saharan Africa, stationed in Nairobi since 2008.

Bildard Fwamba

CHIEF INTERNAL AUDITOR

Bildard holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) degree from Kenyatta University and is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of ICPAK. He has worked in the banking sector for 22 years, serving in various senior management capacities. He has extensive knowledge and experience in Financial Management, Risk Management, Internal Controls and Regulatory Oversight. He joined Equity Bank in 2004. Before his current role, Bildard served in various capacities in Equity Bank Kenya Limited including Compliance Manager, Head of Internal Audit, General Manager- Finance and General Manager- Internal Audit. He previously worked with Central Bank of Kenya and Britam.

Sam Gitwekere

GROUP DIRECTOR, CREDIT RISK

Sam holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern Queensland in Australia and is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (UK). He has received leadership training at the University of Pretoria’s Gordon Institute of Business Science and INSEAD’s Asia Campus in Singapore, and has completed a number of professional programs. He has over 20 years’ experience in senior Risk and coverage roles with leading international banks across Africa, Middle East and Asia. He is a past volunteer with the Autism Society of Kenya and South Africa’s Black Umbrellas, which mentors black-owned businesses.

Elizabeth Gathai

DIRECTOR, DIGITIZATION AND AUTOMATION

Elizabeth holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Nairobi, Bachelor of Commerce degree in Finance, and a Certified Public Accountant CPA (K). She is also a Certified Public Secretary Part 2 (CPS). She is a graduate of Advanced Management Programme (Strathmore- IESE Business School, Barcelona Spain) and Management Executive Programme (Maastricht School of Management (MSM) - Netherlands). A career banker, Elizabeth has vast experience in credit. Prior to her current position, she served as the Director Credit among other senior leadership roles within the Bank. She has 20 years of banking experience having joined the bank in 2001.

Gerald Warui

MANAGING DIRECTOR, EQUITY BANK KENYA

Gerald holds an Executive Masters of Business Administration degree from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). He is a Certified Public Accountant CPA(K) and a graduate of Advanced Management Program from Strathmore- IESE Business School, Barcelona Spain and a career banker. Gerald has vast experience in operations and customer service. Prior to his current position, he served as the Director Operations. Before that, he served as the Director Human Resource and Customer Experience. He joined Equity Bank in 1998.

Emmanuel Deh

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, EQUITY BANK KENYA

Emmanuel holds an M.Sc. Finance from the Strathclyde University Business School in Scotland and a B.Sc. Administration (Banking & Finance) from the University of Ghana, Legon. He also holds a Post Graduate Certificate in Project Finance (Oil & Gas, Conventional and Renewables Energy) from the Middlesex University (UK) and has attended various Executive Development courses on Cybersecurity, Financial Markets and Board Governance in Harvard and Yale Universities .

He is a banker with over 25 years' experience in Corporate and Institutional Banking and Credit Risk Management. He has held various senior management positions in Credit Risk Management in Corporate Banking, Financial Institutions and Project / Structured Finance in Ghana, Nigeria, UK and UAE with short term attachments in Thailand, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Sierra Leone and the Gambia.

Before joining Equity, he was the Senior Director of Special Situation, Distressed Asset Management in Al Rajhi Bank, a Corporate Credit Director in Barclays Bank Emerging Markets in UAE and worked as the Country Credit Director for Barclays Bank Ghana.  He also worked in credit risk with Standard Chartered Bank Ghana and Nigeria.

Emmanuel is a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) and a Member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (USA),  Certified Islamic Finance Executive (CIFE), awarded by the World's renowned Ethica Institute of Islamic Finance and holds Credit Expert Certification from Omega Performance (USA) as well as an accredited Trainer on Credit Skills Assessment Modules developed by Omega Performance, USA.  

Samuel Kirubi

MANAGING DIRECTOR, EQUITY BANK UGANDA

Samuel holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (Finance) from Moi University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Statistics from Egerton University. He is a graduate of Advanced Management Programme (Strathmore IESE Business School, Barcelona Spain). He joined Equity Bank in 2001 and has gained vast experience in operations, marketing and customer service. Samuel previously served as the Chief Operations Officer in Equity Bank South Sudan and most recently as the Managing Director, Equity Bank Rwanda.

Anthony Kituuka

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, EQUITY BANK UGANDA

Anthony holds an MBA in Oil and Gas from Middlesex University, London and a Bachelor’s Degree in Statistics and Applied Economics from Makerere University, Uganda. He is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants Certificate (FCCA) and has completed an Advanced Management Program from Strathmore, Lagos and IESE (Spain) Business Schools as well as several other executive leadership programs at Gordon Institute of Business and INSEAD. He has over 13 years banking experience and has previously worked with Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) and Barclays Bank Uganda Limited. He joined Equity Bank in 2014 and was previously the Group Executive Director for Regional Subsidiaries.

DR. ADDIS ABABA OTHOW

MANAGING DIRECTOR, EQUITY BANK SOUTH SUDAN

Addis holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics, a Master’s degree in Economic Development and a PhD degree in political economics from Al-Neelain University, Khartoum, Sudan. He also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and Accounting from Hanze University, Groningen, Netherlands, a PhD degree in Business Administration from Faculty of Business and Economics, Atlantic International University, USA and the Advanced Management Programme(AMP) from Strathmore University, Nairobi, Kenya. He has a wide range of experience in banking, accounting, finance, and information systems. Prior to joining Equity Bank, he initially worked as a teaching assistant at Al Neelain University, Khartoum and was later appointed as a banking inspector, Central Bank of Sudan in 1997. He also worked as an assistant accountant/ auditor at Dubois & Co Chartered Accountants Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and a consultant at South Sudan Anti-Corruption Commission, a Part-time Lecturer at College of Social & Economics Studies, University of Juba and a Deputy Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of South Sudan Pensions Fund (SSPF). Dr. Othow has also worked as Head of Non-banking Division before he gbecame the Head of Planning, Regulation and Licensing, Central Bank of South Sudan (BSS). He joined Equity Bank in February 2015.

HANNINGTON NAMARA

MANAGING DIRECTOR, EQUITY BANK RWANDA

Hannington is the Managing Director of Equity Bank Rwanda. He holds a degree in Business Administration (Finance option) from Makerere University Business School, a graduate of Advanced Management Programme from Strathmore Business School. He is a Fellow of the Africa Leadership Initiative-East Africa, a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network. He has over 19 years of experience in banking and Private Sector Development extensive with knowledge and a track record in Strategic Leadership, Banking and Finance, Management and Communications. He has held various leadership positions while working with different reputable organisations in the past including TradeMark East Africa, Rwanda Private Sector Federation, Commercial Bank of Rwanda (BCR), Rwanda Investment Export Promotion Agency (RIEPA-now known as Rwanda Development Board). He holds several positions of responsibility in Boards of Corporates and Parastatals

Robert Kiboti

MANAGING DIRECTOR, EQUITY BANK TANZANIA (TZ)

Robert holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Administration from Maharshi Dayanand University, India. He has attended several professional courses in banking and finance both locally and internationally. He has over 24 years’ experience in banking, where he has held various leadership positions. Before joining Equity Bank Tanzania, he was the General Manager in charge of Equity Supreme Centre. Prior to joining Equity Bank, he was in Industrial Development Bank, where he worked for 7 years in various capacities. Robert joined Equity Bank in May 2005.

Esther Kitoka

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, EQUITY BANK TANZANIA

Esther holds a Master of Commerce in Banking and Business Information System from the University Of Sydney, Australia and a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Accounting from the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. She is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a Directorship from the Institute of Directors UK and an Advanced Management Programme from Harvard Business School.

Esther is a seasoned banker, having worked in the banking sector as Bank Examiner for 9 years in the Bank of Tanzania (Central Bank). Later on, she worked as a commercial banker for over 13 years in CRDB Bank Plc, where she held a senior position as Deputy Managing Director/COO for over 8 years. Esther is an Independent Director at the Comprehensive Community Based Rehabilitation in Tanzania (CCBRT). She joined Equity in May 2020.

Célestin Muntuabu

MANAGING DIRECTOR, EQUITYBCDC S.A.

Célestin holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration and Management from the Protestant University in Congo. Besides his training in leadership, he also holds a degree in Banking Administration from ProCredit Academy – Germany. Prior to joining the banking sector, he worked with the International Training Center, a consulting cabinet specialized in the training of business executives in internal audit and strengthening of the systems of internal control for companies. Célestin was a Permanent Secretary and Clerk Trainer at the International Training Center. He was Deputy CEO (2008- 2014) in ProCredit Bank Congo. He was listed among the Top 100 Young African leaders by Choiseul for two consecutive years (2017 and 2018). Celestin is the current Chairman of the United Nations Global Compact DRC Network.

Jean-Claude Tshipama

DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR, EQUITYBCDC S.A.

Jean-Claude holds an Executive Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from McGill University and HECMontreal. He also has a Master’s degree in Economics from the Protestant University in Congo. He has worked in various capacities with Celtel in the DRC, Digicel Group, Microsoft Corporation and Canal+ (a Pay TV company), Zympala. In his last assignment with EUTELSA, he headed EUTELSAT Broadband in Africa, ensuring that their broadband business is successfully deployed across Africa to connect the unconnected