Standard Bank Group has appointed Joshua Oigara, a seasoned Kenyan banker and accountant, as its new Regional Chief Executive for East Africa. His appointment, announced on August 21, 2025, will take effect on September 1, following the exit of Patrick Mweheire, who is stepping down after five years in the role.
Oigara will simultaneously continue serving as Chief Executive and Executive Director of Stanbic Bank Kenya, positions he has held since 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Education and qualifications
Born in 1975, Oigara studied accounting at the University of Nairobi, where he earned a Bachelor of Commerce between 1993 and 1997. He later pursued advanced business and leadership programs that cemented his reputation as one of Africa’s leading banking executives.
He holds an MBA in International Business Management with distinction from Edith Cowan University in Australia (2009–2010). He is also an alumnus of the Advanced Management Programme at INSEAD, France, and the Senior Executive Programme at the London Business School (2015–2016).
In addition, Oigara is a Certified Public Accountant of Kenya (CPA-K) and a member of both the Kenya Institute of Bankers (KIB) and the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK).
Career and leadership journey
Oigara joined Stanbic Bank Kenya in 2022 as CEO for Kenya and South Sudan. The following year, he was also appointed Executive Director of Stanbic Bank Kenya Limited.
His career began at PwC before expanding into both private and public sectors. He is best known for his long tenure at KCB Bank Group, where he rose from Group Chief Financial Officer to Group CEO, a role he held for more than 10 years during a nearly 30-year career in financial services.
Oigara has also held leadership roles beyond corporate banking. He served as Chairman of the Kenya Bankers Association (KBA) between 2018 and 2021, where he played a central role in shaping industry policy and promoting financial inclusion.
Honours and recognition
Oigara’s leadership and influence have been recognized both in Africa and internationally.
In 2014, Institut Choiseul named him among Africa’s Top 25 Young and Influential Leaders, citing his role in positioning the continent as a rising global economic player.
In 2015, the Financial Times highlighted his impact in driving change across Africa’s banking sector.
He was also ranked 25th on the list of 100 global leaders influencing Africa’s economic transformation.
With his appointment as Standard Bank’s East Africa Regional Chief, Oigara is set to oversee one of the bank’s most dynamic growth markets, bringing nearly three decades of experience in banking, finance, and corporate leadership to the role.
