Ralph Opara, a Nigerian banker, has been appointed Managing Director of Access Bank Kenya (ABK), following approval from the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK).

Opara joins ABK from his position as Group Head of the Commercial Banking Division at Access Bank Group, where he managed the lender’s largest commercial business, overseeing a balance sheet of more than $1.2 billion and risk assets exceeding $1.3 billion.

He succeeds Lillian Odhiambo, who had been acting as Managing Director since 2024. Odhiambo will continue at the bank as Executive Director, Wholesale Banking, and will support a smooth leadership transition.

“I have every confidence that his operational experience and leadership capability, combined with the local management’s deep knowledge, will drive the business to greater heights in Kenya and beyond,” said ABK Chairperson Barbara Barungi.

Access Bank, Nigeria’s largest lender, entered the Kenyan market in 2020 through the acquisition of Transnational Bank. Earlier this year, the bank expanded its operations by purchasing the National Bank of Kenya (NBK) from KCB Group.

Opara will oversee both ABK and NBK through an Integration Management Office (IMO), which is tasked with building a stronger institution that combines local trust and heritage with pan-African scale.

According to the bank, the integration process will focus on inclusive growth, regional trade, and initiatives aimed at supporting Kenya’s economic transformation.