By KPC Sports Reporter
East Africa Swing has received a significant boost after Absa Bank Kenya announced a Ksh 4 million sponsorship for the ninth and tenth legs of the Tour.
In addition to the sponsorship, Absa has set aside a further Ksh 3 million for leverage activities, including customer engagements and activations, underlining the Bank’s commitment to enhancing the experience for players, fans and customers alike.
The two tournaments will be staged over the next two weeks, with Thika Greens Golf Club hosting the ninth leg from January 14 to 16, followed by the season finale at Karen Country Club from January 19 to 21.
Absa’s support forms part of the Bank’s long-standing commitment to the growth of professional golf and sports development in Kenya.
The sponsorship will support tournament logistics and enhance prize money, with each event offering a Ksh 2 million purse.
The investment will ensure players continue to compete under professional conditions that meet global standards, while earning valuable Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points—crucial for progression to major global tours and qualifications for the Olympic Games.
Speaking during the sponsorship announcement, Absa Bank Kenya Head of Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Charles Wokabi said the partnership reflects the Bank’s commitment to recognising and supporting potential early, while enabling progression both in sport and in life.
“At Absa, we see the story behind ambition and the discipline it takes to move from promise to excellence. The Sunshine Development Tour offers Kenyan golfers a clear pathway to global stages such as the Magical Kenya Open Golf Tournament. Our support for these final two events is part of our promise to unlocking local talent at a pivotal moment, ensuring players have the right platforms to grow and compete,” said Mr Wokabi.
He added that Absa’s involvement in sports such as golf and athletics mirrors the Bank’s broader purpose of enabling progress for customers and communities.
“Progress is unlocked when communities have access to opportunities and the right partners to back them. Just as the Sunshine Development Tour represents progress for local professional golfers, at Absa Bank we strive to unlock opportunities for our customers every single day,” he noted.
The sponsorship comes at a critical stage of the Tour’s inaugural season, with the two tournaments bringing the maiden campaign—launched last year—to a close.
The Karen Country Club event will serve as the season finale, where the top 12 players on the combined East Africa Swing and South Africa’s Big Easy Tour Order of Merit will earn direct playing cards on the Sunshine Tour.
IMG Kenya CEO Peter Gacheru, who oversees the Sunshine Development Tour, welcomed the sponsorship, describing it as timely and impactful.
“Absa’s support comes at a crucial moment for the Tour. These final two events are not just another set of tournaments; they represent the culmination of months of competition and a gateway to international opportunities for our players. Partnerships like this allow us to deliver tournaments at the right standard, reward performance fairly, and continue building a sustainable pathway for East African golfers,” said Gacheru.
He added that the Tour’s progress in its first season has highlighted the demand for structured professional competition in the region.
“The response from players, clubs and partners has shown that this Tour was long overdue. We are seeing golfers improve their world rankings, gain exposure and compete with real purpose. Support from partners like Absa strengthens our vision of making East Africa a meaningful part of the global golf landscape,” he said.
The Thika Greens leg has attracted a strong and diverse field of 83 golfers from 11 countries, including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Malawi, Zimbabwe and the United States.
Launched in 2025, the Sunshine Development Tour was created to address a long-standing gap in the regional golf ecosystem by providing regular, high-quality competitive opportunities for professional golfers and elite amateurs across East Africa.