Effective 1 April 2026, Absa has announced the appointment of Sitoyo Lopokoiyit as Chief Executive of Personal and Private Banking.
A highly accomplished industry leader, Lopokoiyit brings extensive expertise in financial services, telecommunications, customer experience, and large-scale business transformation. His appointment underscores Absa’s commitment to delivering integrated, customer‑centric solutions across its Personal and Private Banking franchise, while also pursuing new growth opportunities.
Proven Leadership in Fintech
Lopokoiyit most recently served as Managing Director of M‑PESA Africa and Chief Financial Services Officer at Safaricom, where he spearheaded the strategy and expansion of Africa’s largest fintech platform. With more than 12 years of experience in fintech, he played a pivotal role in scaling M‑PESA into a continental powerhouse, serving over 56 million customers and more than 5 million businesses.
He was appointed to lead M‑PESA Africa—a joint venture between Safaricom and Vodacom—with a mandate to extend the platform’s reach and relevance across African markets.
Track Record of Innovation
Since joining Safaricom in 2011, Lopokoiyit has held several senior leadership roles, including Head of M‑PESA Strategy and Business Development, and led operations in Tanzania. He has driven the launch of major innovations such as the M‑PESA Super App, Fuliza, and strategic partnerships with global platforms including PayPal and AliPay.
