Absa Group reshapes leadership to drive Pan-African growth in 2026
Absa Group has announced key leadership changes as part of its updated Pan-African strategy. The moves aim to strengthen the bank's resilience and push forward its long-term goals. Four senior roles will be filled by experienced executives in early 2026.
From 1 March 2026, Prabashni Naidoo will take on the role of Group Chief Governance Officer. She will oversee Legal, Compliance, and the Group Secretariat functions. On the same date, Rushdi Solomons will become Group Chief Internal Audit Officer, stepping up from his current position.
Fatima Newman will also join the executive team as Chief Compliance Officer, starting 1 March 2026. Her appointment adds further depth to Absa's governance and regulatory oversight.
From 1 April 2026, Sitoyo Lopokoiyit will lead as Chief Executive of Personal and Private Banking. He brings extensive experience from his time at Safaricom, where he served as Managing Director of M-PESA Africa and Chief Financial Services Officer. Under his leadership, M-PESA grew into Africa's largest fintech platform, supporting over 56 million customers and 5 million businesses across multiple markets, including Kenya, Tanzania, and Ethiopia.
Lopokoiyit's background spans financial services, telecoms, and large-scale business transformation. His appointment aligns with Absa's push to deliver more integrated, customer-focused solutions in its retail and private banking divisions.
The new appointments form part of Absa's broader plan to sharpen its strategic direction across Africa. Each executive brings specialised skills to their roles, reinforcing the bank's governance, compliance, and customer service capabilities. The changes take effect in the first half of 2026.
