Absa Bank Kenya named top employer for fifth consecutive year

Absa Bank Kenya has been recognised as a Top Employer for 2026 by the Top Employers Institute (TEI) for the fifth consecutive year, following an independent evaluation of its human capital practices across key areas.

The certification highlights Absa’s ability to foster a high-performing workplace through data-driven strategies and a strong focus on employee engagement and organisational growth.

The recognition extends beyond Kenya, with Absa Group operations in Botswana, Ghana, South Africa, Zambia, and Mauritius also receiving the Top Employer distinction. The Group achieved an overall score of 93.66%, up from 90.15% in 2025 and well above the global benchmark of 85.9%.

 All six markets recorded scores above 87%, with Kenya improving by nearly five percentage points compared to last year.

The Top Employers Institute, active in 125 countries, assesses organisations through its HR Best Practices Survey across six domains: People Strategy, Work Environment, Talent Acquisition, Learning, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and Wellbeing.

Speaking on the recognition, Absa Bank Kenya CEO Abdi Mohamed said: “This certification reflects the dedication and resilience of our people, who continue to make Absa an exceptional place to work across Kenya and Africa.”

Notably, Absa achieved full scores of 100% in Business Strategy, Leadership, and Performance, demonstrating consistency in translating strategy into organisational results. The bank also recorded strong results in Ethics and Integrity, scoring 99.49%—above both global and industry benchmarks.

The Work Environment score rose to 98.41%, more than 10% above the global benchmark. The most significant year-on-year improvements were recorded in offboarding (+18%), Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (+11.34%), rewards and recognition (+8.78%), sustainability (+7.35%), and employer branding (+5.28%).

Chief People Officer Mumbi Kahindo said the results reflect broader shifts in workplace culture: “Being recognised for the fifth consecutive year gives insight into how our people practices have evolved. We continue to strengthen how we listen to our employees and act on their feedback, driving improvements across the employee lifecycle.”

Abdi Mohamed added: “Aligned to our group strategy, we remain committed to equipping our employees to deliver excellence for our customers, while focusing on leadership, learning, and wellbeing.”