Absa Group CEO Visits Tanzania to Deepen Customer-Centric Growth Strategy

 Absa Group’s Chief Executive Officer, Kenny Fihla, visited Tanzania this week as part of a broader East African engagement tour aimed at reinforcing the Group’s commitment to regional growth, sustainable financial inclusion, and customer focus.

The visit underscores Absa’s recognition of Tanzania as a pivotal market in its East Africa footprint. With GDP growth projected at 6.1% in 2025 and a robust expansion across sectors such as ICT, energy, and mining, Tanzania presents a compelling opportunity for financial innovation and inclusive banking.

During his visit, Fihla engaged with key stakeholders, including clients and customers, regulators, and colleagues across Absa’s Tanzanian operations. The itinerary included strategic discussions on enhancing customer experience, optimising capital deployment, and aligning with Tanzania’s national development priorities.

“Tanzania is a market of immense potential, and our presence here must reflect more than just financial services - it must reflect partnership, purpose, and progress,” said Fihla. “Our ambition is to be relentlessly customer obsessed. That means listening more, acting faster, and delivering solutions that are relevant to the lives and businesses of Tanzanians. We are here to build lasting relationships and to grow with the communities we serve.”

The visit is the first part of a broader Absa Regional Operations (ARO) roadshow that includes other key markets and follows Fihla joining Absa as the new Group CEO on 17 June 2025. It also aligns with Absa’s pan-African strategy to deepen its footprint in high-growth economies and support regional integration through digital innovation, small business development, and sustainable finance objectives.

Absa’s leadership team leveraged the opportunity to explore how the Group can further support Tanzania’s economic transformation, particularly in areas such as fintech, trade finance, and youth empowerment. The visit included internal engagements with colleagues to reinforce the Group’s values and strategic priorities.

Commenting on the visit, Mr Obedi Laiser, Absa Bank Tanzania’s Managing Director, said “We are honoured to welcome the Group Chief Executive Officer to Tanzania. His visit reaffirms the strategic importance of the Tanzanian market within Absa Group’s pan-African footprint and signals continued confidence in our growth journey.

 At Absa Bank Tanzania, we are deeply committed to driving meaningful impact through innovative financial solutions, inclusive banking, and strong stakeholder partnerships - values that are strongly echoed by the Group’s purpose of empowering Africa’s tomorrow, together… one story at a time.”

Theobald Sabi, Managing Director of NBC Bank Tanzania, an Absa majority-owned bank, said, “We are honoured to welcome the Absa Group leadership to NBC Bank and Tanzania. As our majority shareholder, Absa remains a strategic anchor in our growth journey.

This visit by our senior leaders reaffirms Tanzania’s vital role within Absa’s pan-African footprint and underscores the strength of our shared purpose - empowering Africa’s tomorrow. At NBC Bank, we take pride in being part of a purpose-driven group committed to inclusion, shared growth, and sustainability. Together, we are empowering our communities and creating lasting impact”


In the picture from the left: Obedi S Laiser - Absa Bank Tanzania MD, Savior Chibiya – Absa Africa Regional Operations CEO, Kenny Fihla – Absa Group CEO, and Nicholous Mukanya – Ohio Branch Manager.