Can Joshua Oigara Leverage Standard Bank East Africa’s Strengths to Outpace Rivals? Joshua Nyamweya Oigara has today assumed the role of Regional Chief Executive for Standard Bank’s East Africa operations, a portfolio with USD 9 billion in assets, a cost-to-income ratio of 42%, and a return on equity of 26%. Standard Bank East Africa is the second most profitable regional bank, with 2025 PAT estimated at USD 350–400 million according to sources. With over 25 years’ leadership experience — including a decade as KCB Group CEO and, more recently, as CEO of Stanbic Bank Kenya — Oigara inherits market leadership in Uganda, a top-three position in Tanzania, and a strong top-tier presence in Kenya, alongside operations in Ethiopia, Malawi, and South Sudan. Backed by Africa’s largest bank, with more than USD 170 billion in assets, he must balance opportunities — from financing Uganda’s multi-billion-dollar oil and gas projects to scaling SME digital banking — against challenges such as slowing growth in Uganda, margin pressure in Kenya, and under-utilised liquidity in Tanzania. His mandate: turn continental scale into the speed and agility needed to stay ahead in East Africa’s fiercely competitive banking race.

Muhereza Kyamutetera

September 1, 2025September 10, 2025

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(Left to right) Joshua Nyamweya Oigara, the newly appointed Regional Chief Executive for Standard Bank East Africa, alongside Patrick Mweheire, Chief Executive of Stanbic Holdings Kenya; Mumba Kalifungwa, Chief Executive of Stanbic Bank Uganda; and Manzi Rwegasira, Chief Executive of Stanbic Bank Tanzania. Together, they represent a seasoned leadership team — a key people advantage Oigara inherits as he seeks to accelerate growth, navigate market challenges, and leverage Standard Bank’s USD 9 billion East Africa portfolio into a faster, more agile regional powerhouse.