By Mandere Onyinkwa
Dr. Joshua Oigara has been appointed Chief Executive of Stanbic Holdings Plc, effective March 1, 2026.
The announcement follows the retirement of Patrick Mweheire, who steps down after nearly six years at the helm. Mweheire, credited with steering Stanbic through post‑pandemic recovery and regional expansion, will continue serving in a senior executive role within the Standard Bank Group.
In a notice to shareholders, the Stanbic board expressed confidence in Oigara’s leadership.
“Dr. Oigara brings in‑depth knowledge of East African markets and a proven record of institutional transformation,” the statement read.
Dr. Oigara’s appointment marks a return to the leadership of a listed banking group, nearly four years after his departure from Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB).
He served as Group CEO of KCB from 2013 to 2022, overseeing a decade of growth that saw the bank expand across East Africa and strengthen its digital banking platforms.
Under his tenure, KCB’s profits rose steadily, and the lender cemented its position as the region’s largest bank by assets.
After leaving KCB, Dr. Oigara joined Stanbic Bank Kenya and South Sudan in late 2022 as CEO.
By 2025, he had been elevated to Regional Chief Executive for East Africa, overseeing operations in six countries: Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, Tanzania, South Sudan, and Ethiopia.
His new role at Stanbic Holdings Plc will combine this regional mandate with direct leadership of the holding company’s banking, investment, and insurance businesses.
The board highlighted his academic and professional credentials, noting his MBA with Distinction in International Business Management from Edith Cowan University, Australia, and his certification as a CPA (K).
He is also a graduate of advanced management programmes at INSEAD and IMD Lausanne.
Industry observers view his appointment as a strategic move to consolidate Stanbic’s market position.
“Oigara’s track record at KCB and his regional experience at Stanbic make him well‑suited to drive growth in a competitive banking landscape,” said one analyst.
Dr. Oigara is expected to focus on deepening financial inclusion, expanding digital services, and strengthening Stanbic’s footprint in East Africa.
His leadership will be closely watched as the bank navigates evolving regulatory dynamics and rising competition in the sector.