I&M Bank has moved to recruit Abdi Mohamed, the current chief executive of Absa Bank Kenya, in a major shake-up in the country’s banking sector.
The lender on Monday, June 29, announced that Abdi Mohamed has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of I&M Bank Kenya, subject to approval by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK).
The appointment sets the stage for a high-profile exit from Absa Kenya, where Mohamed has been serving as managing director and CEO, and signals intensifying competition among top-tier banks for experienced leadership.
“We are delighted to welcome Abdi to I&M Group at an exciting and important time in our journey as we continue to scale our business, deepen customer relationships, strengthen our market leadership and create sustainable value for all our stakeholders,” said Sarit Raja-Shah, Group Executive Director, I&M Group PLC.
Abdi Mohamed was appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Absa Bank Kenya on May 1, 2023, succeeding Jeremy Awori, who left the position in late 2022.
Shift at the Top of Rival Banks
Mohamed is one of Kenya’s most seasoned bankers, with more than 30 years of experience in financial services and corporate leadership.
At Absa Bank Kenya, he has overseen the lender’s growth and transformation in recent years, helping to strengthen its market position in both retail and corporate banking.
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Before taking the helm at Absa Kenya, Mohamed served as CEO of Absa Bank Tanzania, where he played a key role in rebranding the bank from Barclays to Absa during a major transition period.
His earlier roles include Chief Operating Officer at Barclays Bank Kenya, as well as senior leadership positions in retail and business banking in Kenya and Zambia.
The move to I&M now places him at the center of another ambitious growth plan as the bank seeks to expand its footprint and strengthen its competitive edge in Kenya’s crowded banking space.
“With his extensive experience, proven leadership track record and deep understanding of the financial services landscape, the Board is confident that Abdi is well positioned to lead I&M Bank Kenya into its next phase of growth. He will play a critical role in advancing our strategic priorities, driving innovation, and expanding market share,” Sarit Raja-Shah added.
Beyond his banking career, Abdi holds a number of board positions.
He is the chairman of the U.N. Global Compact – Kenya chapter and serves on the boards of Touch Health Inc, and Integrated Payment Systems Limited (IPSL).
Abdi Mohamed’s Profile
Abdi Mohamed holds a strong academic and executive education background in business and leadership:
- Bachelor of Commerce (Business Administration) – Kenyatta University, completed in 1992.
- Master of Business Administration (MBA), International Business – Edith Cowan University, Australia, completed between 2006 and 2007.
- Advanced Management Program (AMP) – IMD Business School, Switzerland, undertaken between 2019 and 2021.
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He joined Barclays Bank Kenya (now Absa) in 1994 at the Garissa branch, starting from junior-level roles.
Over the years, he rose through the ranks, building a reputation as a strong leader in operations and retail banking.
Between 2012 and 2016, he was Chief Operating Officer at Barclays Bank Kenya, where he was responsible for service delivery, operational excellence, and customer experience and support systems.
In addition to the above, Abdi Mohamed has held several other leadership positions within the Barclays/Absa Group, including:
- Consumer Banking Director (Kenya)
- Regional Head of Islamic Banking (East and West Africa)
- Retail Director – Barclays Bank Zambia
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