Stanbic Holdings Plc has appointed Joshua Oigara as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective March 1, 2026, marking a leadership transition that the Board says is aimed at consolidating the Group’s regional footprint and sustaining its growth momentum.
Oigara succeeds Patrick Mweheire, who will retire from the role on February 28, 2026, after nearly six years at the helm.
The company announced that although Mweheire will step down as CEO, he will continue to serve in a senior executive capacity within the Standard Bank Group, ensuring continuity of leadership within the broader regional structure.
Mweheire has led Stanbic Holdings since March 2020, a period during which the institution registered steady growth and strengthened its competitive position in East Africa’s banking sector. Under his leadership, Stanbic Kenya consolidated its standing as a respected franchise in the region, navigating economic disruptions and positioning itself for long-term expansion.
In a statement, Company Secretary Nancy Kiruki said the Board was grateful for Mweheire’s service and leadership. “The Board extends its sincere appreciation to Mr. Mweheire for his exemplary leadership and contribution to the Company, and wishes him every success in his continued career within the Group,” she said.
Oigara currently serves as Standard Bank Regional Chief Executive for East Africa and will assume the new role while retaining his regional responsibilities. In his present capacity, he oversees operations across six countries — Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, Tanzania, South Sudan and Ethiopia — giving him oversight of one of the Group’s most strategically important markets.
The Board expressed confidence in Oigara’s ability to steer the company into its next phase. “The Board is confident that Dr. Oigara’s proven track record in banking sector transformation, regional market development, and financial inclusion will position the Company for its next phase of growth. The Board looks forward to his leadership and contribution,” Kiruki added.
Oigara brings extensive experience in banking leadership and regional strategy. He holds a Master of Business Administration with Distinction in International Business Management from Edith Cowan University in Australia and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Nairobi. He is a Certified Public Accountant of Kenya, CPA (K), and a member of both the Kenya Institute of Bankers and the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya. He is also a graduate of the Advanced Management Programme at the International Institute for Management Development in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The transition reflects Stanbic Holdings’ long-term strategic planning, with the Board signaling a focus on deepening regional integration and sustaining growth across East Africa. As Oigara steps into the dual leadership role, attention will turn to how the bank leverages its regional scale and expertise to expand market share and drive financial inclusion in a competitive banking landscape.
