Ecobank Kenya boosts gender diversity as women take 55% of board seats

Newly appointed Non-Executive Director Risper Alaro 

Ecobank Kenya has appointed Ms. Risper Alaro as a Non-Executive Director following approval by the Central Bank of Kenya.

Her appointment brings the number of women on the bank’s nine-member board to five, representing 55% representation of women and reinforcing Ecobank Kenya’s commitment to inclusive leadership and gender diversity in corporate governance.

Risper Alaro brings more than 25 years of experience in financial leadership, business transformation and organisational leadership. She currently serves as Group Finance Director at Centum Investment Company PLC, where she provides financial leadership across the Group’s diversified investment portfolio, supporting disciplined capital allocation, business performance and long-term value creation.

“As Ecobank advances its growth ambitions and deepens its presence in Kenya, we are confident that Risper’s extensive leadership experience will bring valuable perspective to the Board’s oversight role in the Bank’s next chapter,” said Ecobank Kenya Board in an official announcement.

Beyond her executive career, Alaro serves on the boards of Kenya Climate Ventures and the Nairobi Securities Exchange. She has also served on the boards of Bank of Kigali and Population Services Kenya, extending her governance experience across financial services, capital markets and the non-profit sector.

Her appointment builds on Ecobank Kenya’s growing representation of women in leadership, following the appointment of Rebecca Mbithi as Managing Director in February and business leader Flora Mutahi to the Board in June. Together, these appointments underscore the bank’s commitment to advancing women’s leadership and strengthening gender diversity in corporate governance.