KCB CEO is Africa’s 25th most influential young economic leader

KCB Group CEO Joshua Oigara at a past function

KCB Group CEO Joshua Oigara has been named among the top 100 youngest and most influential economic leaders in Africa by an independent French research center.

Oigara was ranked at position 25th and leads six other under 40-year old Kenyans in the top 100 list in the annual research conducted by Paris-based Institute Choiseul.

“Your dynamism, your exceptional course and an active contribution to the emergence of Africa as a major player in the global economy is the basis for this selection,” said President of Institut Choiseul, Dr. Pascal Lorot. 

Of the 54 African countries, 42 are represented in the study.

“I am very excited about the momentous opportunity to accelerate the dynamic transformation of the African continent and the push to realize sustainable and inclusive growth opportunities across Africa’s one billion people,” said Mr. Oigara.

The Choiseul 100 Africa identifies and ranks the young African leaders of 40 years old and under, who are tipped to play a major role in the development of Africa in the near future. The research outfit fetes successful business leaders, entrepreneurs and investors who embody the dynamism and renewal of the African continent. 

To rank the executives, a weighted criterion is taken into account such as image and reputation, background and skills, power and function, influence and networks as well as potential and leadership. 

The total of the scores obtained in the different categories of criteria determines the position of each laureate in the final ranking. 

Mr. Oigara, 39, leads the biggest indigenous commercial bank in East African in terms of asset base and branch network. 

KCB has a presence in six African countries including Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi. 

Mr. Oigara was appointed to serve as CEO on a four-year term effective January 1, 2013. He joined KCB in November, 2011 as the Chief Financial Officer from Lafarge East Africa (Bamburi Cement Limited). 

He has worked in various high-level positions in Bamburi and his expertise in driving transformational initiatives in regional businesses, strategy, business growth and change management will be invaluable in his new position.