Elizabeth Wasuna serves as the Director of Business Banking at Absa Bank Kenya Plc. She joined Absa in 2018 and was tasked with developing and executing a workable growth strategy. Within a year, she was able to identify opportunities for growth and areas that required re-organization and re-building. In 2019, the bank’s asset book grew by 28 per cent, customer deposit base was up 6 per cent and for the first time, the Business Banking Segment revenue recorded positive growth. Despite the challenging business environment in 2020, her division recorded a 10 per cent growth in earnings.
Elizabeth Wasuna’s initiatives to support SMEs
One of her key initiatives was to make Absa (formerly Barclays) more friendly to small local businesses. As such, she led the review of lending policies and the introduction of new unsecured products. This new proposition was anchored on a campaign dubbed “Wezesha Biashara.” Elizabeth is a key supporter of women entrepreneurs and a key believer in women’s economic empowerment. Under her steer, the bank launched a Ksh 10 Billion fund for women entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and enhance their management skills.
She also has been instrumental in building and established lasting collaborative engagements with key stakeholders, including the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), the Kenya Association on Manufactures (KAM), the International Trade Centre SHE Trades, and Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA).
Over the years, Elizabeth has supported Wema Rehabilitation Center for Street Children in Mombasa; mentorship of students at Kenya High School; and Marera SDA Church in sponsoring children in need.
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