Barclays bank rebranded as ABSA .

By Brian Nzomo.

From blue-white to red.

Barclays bank which has operated in Kenya since 1916 has rebranded to ABSA bank this morning. The ceremony which is being held at Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) at Westlands in Nairobi, has seen the attendance of major shareholders in the company.

The bank’s players have promised of a better future in the Kenyan banking experience, with the promise of ‘painting the town red’.

The bank has a valuation of $90 billion and operates in 12 African countries among them Ghana, Zambia, Seychelles, Tanzania and Botswana.

“As I look into the future I am filled with optimism…”, said Jeremy Awori-Managing Director, Absa Bank Kenya PLC, “We will play our rightful role in the Kenyan economy”.

Players insisted on the bank’s commitment to improve value, and urged more Kenyans to look forward for success by investing with them.

“More than a name change, this is a milestone that brings us closer to realising our ambition as a leading African bank to support growth and development on the continent,” said the Absa Group Chief Executive Daniel Mminele.

Awori affirmed the bank’s determination in listening to the needs of their customers.

Kenya is the second largest market for ABSA group. The bank therefore appreciates the Kenyan economy as an important player to its success since being enlisted on the NSE in 1986.

“With the name change, we hope that ABSA Kenya will be able to focus on financing development in Africa”, said Samuel Kimani, Chairman of NSE.