JSE-listed Absa Group has announced the appointment of Kenny Fihla as its new CEO, effective 17 June 2025. Fihla, a seasoned banking executive with nearly 20 years of leadership experience, joins Absa from Standard Bank Group, where he held several senior roles.
Absa described Fihla as a “recognised leader with substantial Pan-African banking experience and a proven track record.”
He joined Standard Bank in 2006 and served in key positions, including Chief Executive Officer of Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB), Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Standard Bank Group, and Chief Executive Officer of Standard Bank South Africa. As Deputy CEO, he was responsible for Standard Bank’s subsidiaries outside South Africa.
Fihla holds an MSc in Financial Economics from the University of London and an MBA from the University of the Witwatersrand.
Standard Bank confirmed Fihla’s resignation in a statement, saying, “He will proceed on garden leave as of today.” The bank acknowledged his significant contributions, stating, “Whilst this is a heavy blow for us, the Group is blessed with a surfeit of talent and deep succession pools.”
Standard Bank also highlighted Fihla’s achievements, noting, “Under his guardianship as Chief Executive from 2017 to 2024, CIB doubled its headline earnings to R20.5 billion and achieved a compound annual growth rate of 8.6%.”
The bank praised Fihla’s leadership, saying, “We are fortunate to have been able to draw on his unique combination of experience and wisdom in business, government, and the labour movement. We wish Kenny continued success on his onward journey.”
Standard Bank added that further announcements regarding leadership changes in its geographies will be made in due course.
