Ecobank Kenya has announced a major executive leadership transition with the appointment of Rebecca Mbithi as the new Managing Director, effective February 9, 2026, subject to regulatory approval, marking a significant milestone in the bank’s strategic growth journey.
The appointment sees Mbithi succeed Josephine Anan-Ankomah, who has stepped down from the role to concentrate fully on her broader responsibilities as Regional Executive for Central, Eastern and Southern Africa (CESA) within the Ecobank Group. The leadership change comes at a time when Ecobank Kenya is accelerating its expansion strategy, strengthening digital banking platforms, and deepening its footprint across key market segments.
In a statement, Ecobank said Mbithi’s appointment underscores the group’s confidence in her leadership capabilities and her proven track record in driving business growth, operational efficiency, and customer-centric innovation.
“Rebecca assumes leadership at a time when Ecobank Kenya is firmly positioned on a strong growth trajectory and remains central to Ecobank Group’s ambitions in the East African Community and the broader Central, Eastern and Southern Africa region,” the bank said.
The transition signals continuity in strategic execution, as Mbithi is expected to build on the foundation laid by her predecessor while steering the institution through an increasingly competitive banking landscape shaped by rapid digitization, regulatory reforms, and evolving customer needs.
Mbithi brings to the role extensive banking and leadership experience, having served in senior executive positions across corporate banking, retail banking, strategy, and transformation. Her appointment reflects Ecobank’s wider leadership philosophy of nurturing internal talent, strengthening succession planning, and aligning leadership decisions with long-term institutional objectives.
Under Anan-Ankomah’s leadership, Ecobank Kenya recorded notable improvements in operational performance, digital product expansion, and customer engagement, positioning the lender as a leading player in Kenya’s mid-tier banking segment. Her elevation to a regional executive role highlights Ecobank Group’s recognition of her contribution to regional integration and business growth.
The leadership reshuffle also aligns with Ecobank Group’s broader transformation agenda across Africa, which emphasizes innovation, financial inclusion, sustainability, and pan-African trade facilitation. With operations in more than 30 African countries, Ecobank continues to leverage leadership transitions as a strategic tool to reinforce governance, performance accountability, and market competitiveness.
Industry analysts say Mbithi’s appointment comes at a crucial moment when Kenyan banks are navigating tightening regulatory requirements, rising competition from fintech firms, and growing demand for seamless digital banking services.
“Leadership continuity combined with fresh strategic execution is critical in today’s banking environment. Ecobank’s move reflects confidence in internal capacity and stability,” said a Nairobi-based financial analyst.
Mbithi is expected to prioritize digital banking expansion, SME financing, trade facilitation, and sustainable finance — areas that are central to Ecobank Kenya’s medium-term growth plan. Her leadership is also anticipated to deepen partnerships across regional markets, reinforcing Kenya’s position as a financial gateway to East and Central Africa.
The appointment further strengthens Ecobank’s leadership pipeline, demonstrating the group’s commitment to structured succession planning and talent development across its African operations.
As regulatory approvals near completion, stakeholders will be closely watching how the new Managing Director shapes the bank’s strategic direction, performance delivery, and market competitiveness in one of Africa’s most dynamic banking markets.
– By Mark Simitia
