Absa Group has named Sitoyo Lopokoiyit as Chief Executive for its Personal and Private Banking division, effective 1 April 2026, reinforcing the bank’s commitment to customer-centric innovation and growth across its retail and affluent segments.
Lopokoiyit joins Absa with over a decade of experience in financial services, telecommunications, digital platforms, and large-scale business transformation.
His appointment is expected to accelerate the delivery of integrated financial solutions while opening new market opportunities within Absa’s Personal and Private Banking franchise.
Prior to joining Absa, Lopokoiyit served as Managing Director of M-PESA Africa and Chief Financial Services Officer at Safaricom. There, he led the expansion of one of the continent’s most influential fintech platforms, scaling M-PESA to more than 56 million customers and over 5 million businesses.
His tenure also included leadership roles in strategy, business development, and operations across multiple African markets, notably Tanzania.
Lopokoiyit played a key role in launching innovations such as the M-PESA Super App and Fuliza, and in forging strategic integrations with global payment platforms including PayPal and AliPay.
His work has been internationally recognised, including induction into the 11:FS Hall of Fame, which honours leaders who have significantly transformed the financial services sector through innovation and impact.
Absa Group CEO Kenny Fihla said the appointment aligns with the bank’s long-term strategic priorities. “This appointment demonstrates Absa’s strategic focus on delivering integrated, customer-centric solutions across our Personal and Private Banking franchise while unlocking new growth opportunities,” he said.
Lopokoiyit steps into his new role at a time when African banks are intensifying investment in digital transformation, platform banking, and modernised customer experiences to compete with fintechs and mobile money operators.
His leadership is expected to strengthen Absa’s position in these high-growth areas, leveraging his fintech expertise to enhance digital financial inclusion and empower small businesses across the continent.
With Lopokoiyit at the helm, Absa signals a strategic push to deepen its retail and affluent banking offerings while embracing innovation-driven growth across Africa’s evolving financial landscape.