Ecobank Kenya, the Kenyan banking arm of the pan-African Ecobank Group, has appointed Risper Alaro, Group Finance Director at Centum Investment Company PLC, as a Non-Executive Director, following approval from the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK). Her appointment increases female representation on the bank’s board to five of its nine members, giving women a majority of seats.

The appointment adds another senior finance executive to Ecobank Kenya’s board as the lender reshapes its leadership and strengthens its governance structure in 2026.

Alaro joins board amid leadership changes

Risper Alaro joins a board that has undergone several changes this year. Rebecca Mbithi became Managing Director on February 9, succeeding Josephine Anan-Ankomah, who moved to a regional position as Regional Executive for Central, Eastern and Southern Africa at Ecobank Group.

In June, Flora Mutahi, founder and chief executive of Melvin Marsh International and the first woman to chair the Kenya Private Sector Alliance, joined the board. Bertha Dena is also among its members.

Yesse Oenga, who led the board as acting chairman when Mbithi’s appointment was announced, previously highlighted the new managing director’s experience, saying she brought more than 20 years of executive leadership across several sectors, including Kenya’s financial services industry.

Ecobank Kenya said Risper Alaro’s experience would support its strategic priorities. “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,” the bank said.

Risper Alaro oversees finance across Centum’s portfolio

Risper Alaro has served as Group Finance Director at Centum Investment Company since March 2022, providing financial leadership across its investment portfolio. Her responsibilities include capital allocation, business performance and long-term value creation.

Her appointment followed an extensive career at the investment company, where she previously held several leadership positions. She served as Group Finance and Operations Director from January 2013 to January 2016 before becoming Managing Director of Centum Business Solutions, a subsidiary, from 2015 to January 2018.

She also held other finance and operational roles during her earlier tenure at Centum. Her professional profile cites more than 20 years of leadership experience in finance, business transformation and organisational management, while Ecobank describes her experience as exceeding 25 years.

Board experience spans capital markets and climate finance

Beyond her executive responsibilities, Risper Alaro has built a record of board appointments across financial markets, investment and development-focused institutions.

She has served as a Non-Executive Director of the Nairobi Securities Exchange since June 2018 and Kenya Climate Ventures since July 2019. She was also a Non-Executive Director at Bank of Kigali from February 2019 to February 2025 and previously served on the ACCA Kenya Advisory Board between 2015 and 2017.

Ecobank’s announcement also identifies her previous board involvement with Population Services Kenya, extending her governance experience into the nonprofit sector.

Executive coaching and academic qualifications

Risper Alaro has operated Risper Alaro Consulting since February 2018 as a certified executive coach. Her professional credentials include Professional Certified Coach and Certified Mentor Coach designations.

She completed a Certificate in Executive Leadership Coaching at CDI-Africa in 2015 and the Women in Executive Leadership League programme at Strathmore Business School in 2016.

She holds a Master of Business Administration from United States International University Africa, completed in 2001, and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from Moi University, earned in 1998.