Absa Bank Kenya staff join hands in nationwide mentorship, climate action initiative

Absa Bank Kenya on Friday kicked off a two-day staff-driven initiative aimed at making a positive difference in over 150 secondary schools and colleges across the country. The coordinated initiative focuses on mentorship and climate action.

The bold initiative, dubbed “Be the Difference Day,” is part of the programmes rolled out by the Absa Kenya Foundation and aims to deliver real and lasting impact in the communities where the Bank operates.

This year’s initiative focused on two Absa Kenya Foundation pillars – Education and Skills and Environmental Stewardship.

During the two-day exercise, over 2,000 employees across 84 branches engaged directly with high school and college students through mentorship sessions covering vital topics such as career choices, digital literacy, and financial management.

In addition to mentorship, participants planted thousands of indigenous trees at the institutions, contributing to the Bank's goal of planting and nurturing one million trees by 2032.

Speaking while leading a team of Absa staff to Limuru Girls High School, Absa Bank Kenya’s Business Banking Director, Elizabeth Wasunna-Ochwa, emphasized that the initiative aligns with the Bank's “Force for Good” agenda, which highlights its commitment to transforming communities. It also supports Absa’s purpose of empowering Africa’s tomorrow, together… one story at a time.

“We have created this platform to enable our colleagues from across the country to show up for communities as changemakers, not just as bankers,” said Ms. Wasunna-Ochwa. “What makes this initiative unique is that it is peer-led and deeply personal for everyone.”

The mentorship sessions were part of the existing online Ready to Work program, which aims to equip 50,000 students with essential skills in financial management, entrepreneurship, and digital literacy this year. Beyond tree planting, the initiative also educated students about climate resilience and the importance of maintaining green spaces.

“We are not just planting trees but nurturing the next generation that understands its role in protecting the planet,” said Charles Wokabi, Head of Sustainability and Corporate Affairs at Absa Bank Kenya. “The greater goal is to grow this initiative into a national platform for change and impact, so we can reach more communities across Kenya.”

This two-day staff initiative took place across the Coast, Rift Valley, Western, Nairobi, Central, Eastern, and Nyanza regions.