Absa Group Chief Executive Officer Kenny Fihla has concluded a high-level visit to Tanzania, signaling the Group’s renewed focus on deepening its footprint in the country and supporting inclusive, customer-driven growth.
Fihla’s visit forms part of a broader East Africa engagement tour following his appointment as Group CEO on June 17, 2025.
It aims to strengthen ties with key markets in the region and align Absa’s strategy with national development goals across the continent.
Speaking during his engagements in Dar es Salaam, Fihla underscored the Group’s view of Tanzania as a key growth market within East Africa, particularly as the country maintains robust economic momentum with GDP growth forecasted at 6.1 percent in 2025.
“Tanzania is a market of immense potential, and our presence here must go beyond offering financial services. It must reflect genuine partnership, shared purpose, and meaningful progress,” said Fihla.
“We are committed to being relentlessly customer-obsessed – listening more, acting faster, and delivering solutions that improve the lives and livelihoods of Tanzanians.”he added
During the visit, Fihla met with a broad range of stakeholders including customers, regulators, and staff across Absa operations in Tanzania.
Discussions focused on how Absa can enhance customer experience, support national priorities such as financial inclusion and youth empowerment, and invest in strategic sectors including ICT, energy, and mining.
The visit also included internal townhalls aimed at reinforcing Absa’s values, purpose, and strategic vision under Fihla’s leadership.
It forms the first leg of a Regional Operations (ARO) roadshow that will extend to other African markets in the weeks ahead.
Mr. Obedi Laiser, Managing Director of Absa Bank Tanzania, said the Group CEO’s visit underscores Absa’s continued confidence in Tanzania’s financial and economic trajectory.
“We are deeply honoured by Mr. Fihla’s visit. It reaffirms the strategic role Tanzania plays within Absa’s pan-African growth story. At Absa Bank Tanzania, we are committed to delivering innovative, inclusive, and customer-focused banking solutions that contribute to national development and empower individuals and businesses alike,” he said.
The visit also included a stop at NBC Bank Tanzania, in which Absa holds a majority stake. NBC’s Managing Director, Theobald Sabi, echoed the message of long-term collaboration.
“As our majority shareholder, Absa remains a strategic pillar in our growth. This visit reaffirms our collective commitment to inclusion, sustainability, and impact-driven banking. Together, we are building a future that empowers Tanzanians and supports national transformation,” he said.
The visit comes at a time when Absa is accelerating its pan-African strategy, which prioritizes digital innovation, SME development, and sustainable finance.
The Group’s leadership emphasized their ambition to contribute meaningfully to Tanzania’s development journey – supporting job creation, boosting trade, and offering financial products tailored to local needs.
As the tour continues across the region, Absa has positioned itself as not just a banking institution, but as a partner in unlocking Africa’s future – with Tanzania playing a central role in that mission.