Ecobank Appoints Former Family Bank CEO Rebecca Mbithi as New Managing Director

Ecobank Kenya has appointed former Family Bank Chief Executive Officer Rebecca Mbithi as its new Managing Director.

In a notice dated Wednesday, February 11, 2026, the bank announced the appointment through its Board, stating that it will take effect from Tuesday, February 9, 2026, subject to regulatory approval by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK).

“The Board of Ecobank Kenya is pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs. Rebecca M. Mbithi as Managing Director, Ecobank Kenya, effective February 9, 2026, subject to regulatory approval by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK),” read part of the notice.

Ecobank Names Rebecca Mbithi as New Managing Director

According to the notice, Mbithi assumes leadership at a time when Ecobank Kenya is firmly positioned on a strong growth trajectory and remains central to Ecobank Group’s ambitions in the East African Community and the broader Central, Eastern and Southern Africa (CESA) region.

The former Family Bank CEO succeeds  Josephine Anan-Ankomah, who, according to the Board, has stepped down from the Managing Director role to focus fully on her responsibilities as Regional Executive, CESA. 

Also Read: EABL CFO and Executive Director Risper Ohaga Resigns

At the same time, the Board clarified that Ankomah remains a Group Executive within Ecobank and continues to oversee 17 of Ecobank’s 32 markets across Africa.

Mbithi brings over 20 years of executive leadership experience across various sectors, including Kenya’s financial services industry. She has a strong track record in strategy execution, organisational transformation, and performance delivery.

Most recently, she served as Chief Executive Officer of Family Bank, where she is credited with leading a successful turnaround and growth journey, transforming the institution into a consistently profitable and resilient bank.

She holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Strategic Management from the United States International University–Africa (USIU-Africa), a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Nairobi. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA-K) and a Certified Public Secretary (CPS-K).

Board Appreciates Outgoing MD’s Role During Her Tenure

The Board extended its appreciation to the outgoing Managing Director for what it described as her transformational leadership, which laid a strong and sustainable foundation for Ecobank Kenya’s next phase of growth

The Board expressed gratitude for her transformational leadership and unwavering commitment during her tenure. They noted that she guided the bank through a period of disciplined repositioning, resulting in improved financial performance.

“During her tenure, the bank underwent a period of disciplined repositioning, delivering improved financial performance, stronger capitalisation, and enhanced operational resilience. Profit before tax increased from KSh132.9 million in 2022 to KSh734 million in Q3 2025, supported by improved cost discipline and operational efficiency,” said the Board.

Also Read: HFC Appoints Former Equity Bank Executive Samuel Makome as Non-Executive Director

Under her leadership, the Board also stated that the bank strengthened its capital position through recapitalisation. As of September 2025, capital stood at KSh8.8 billion, placing Ecobank Kenya well ahead of the Central Bank of Kenya’s revised minimum capital requirements through 2028, while remaining fully compliant with all regulatory capital ratios.

The Board expressed confidence that Mbithi will build on this strong foundation and lead Ecobank Kenya into a phase of accelerated growth and enhanced regional impact.

Follow our WhatsApp channel for instant news updates

Photo of outgoing Ecobank MD Josephine Anan Ankomah. PHOTO/NMG