INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT
KENYA FINANCE SPOTLIGHT Interview: Kenya Bankers Association (KBA) We speak with Habil Olaka, CEO of the Kenya Bankers Association as the pioneering association to champion an innovative and inclusive banking sector in Kenya
INTERVIEW
Writer: Phoebe Harper | Project Manager: Krisha Canlas
Habil Olaka CEO, Kenya Bankers Association
A
s an umbrella body for all commercial banks regulated by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), the Kenya Bankers Association (KBA) stands as the collective voice behind the East African country’s dynamic finance sector. Promoting industry development and economic growth, we explore the association’s origins and current objectives with CEO, Habil Olaka. Africa Outlook (AO): Can you talk us through the origins of the KBA, how it came about, and its initial vision? Habil Olaka, CEO (HO): The KBA was registered as an industry association on 16th July 1962 by the Registrar of Trade Unions. In its formative years, the main aim of the association was to cater for the interests of the member banks in negotiating terms and conditions of service amongst employees
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unable to unionise, and as far as possible to standardise management practices to ensure harmony in the industry. Over time, the ambition of the association has evolved to include promoting industry development and economic growth by engaging the government and sector regulator, Central Bank of Kenya (CBK). Under the current Strategic Plan (2019- 2023), KBA is working closely with its members and stakeholders to intensify efforts towards deepening financial inclusion across all segments of the economy by facilitating access to affordable banking services through enhanced technological innovation and sector-wide efficiency programmes. As the umbrella body of the commercial banks licenced and regulated by the CBK with a current membership of 46 financial institutions, KBA continues to reinforce a reputable and professional banking sector in a bid to best support Kenyans, who entrust their ambitions and hard-earned resources with its member banks. AO: Since inception, how has the KBA developed and progressed in terms of its key objectives and the messages it tries to get across? HO: As the leading industry advocacy group of the financial services sector, it is our ambition to ensure that we continue to be relevant to
