Absa Bank Partners With Eliud Kipchoge, Elite Athletes to Launch KES45 Million Education Kitty

Nairobi, 28 February 2020…Absa Bank Kenya PLC will inject KES 45 million into the local education sector.

The kitty will be divided between two major projects with KES20 million going towards the construction of ablution blocks in 40 primary schools across the country and the remaining KES25 million being used to set up 66 computer centers across the country in partnership with Computer for Schools.

This was announced during the launch of a campaign dubbed ’Torch of Possibilities’ which will be headlined by World Marathon Record holder and Olympic Title holder, Eliud Kipchoge and a team of top athletes including; Catherine Ndereba, David Rudisha, Janeth Jepkosgei, Paul Kipsiele Koech, and Jackson Tuwei. The campaign is aimed to motivate emerging and future athletes, as well as millions of young Kenyans, to aspire for greatness.

Speaking during the announcement, Absa Bank Kenya MD, Jeremy Awori highlighted the intention of the bank to keep differentiating itself through participating in projects that are attuned to the needs of the communities in which it operates.

The concept of Torch of possibilities represents our zeal, ambition, and enthusiasm to serve this market but most importantly, it represents who we are as a people, ready to inspire and mentor the future generations by availing the necessary resources that they need to make significant strides towards their dreams”, Jeremy said.

The Torch of Possibilities campaign will be implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology; Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage; National Olympics Committee of Kenya (NOCK), Athletics Kenya (AK), Kenya National Sports Council and the team of top athletes.

***(L-R) Paul Koech, Catherine Ndereba, David Rudisha and Janet Jepkosgey pre-eminent athletes at the launch of Torch of Possibilities campaign by Absa Bank Kenya***

Following a successful transition, Absa Bank is continuously renewing its commitment as a force for good by enabling joint growth among all its stakeholders.

In the last three years, the bank has invested KES161 million to support 574 university students through the Absa Scholarship programme. In addition, the bank, through the ReadytoWork skills program has provided more than 200,000 Kenyan youth in tertiary institutions with entrepreneurial, money, employability and life skills to afford them a smooth transition to the work environment.

The bank has also recently committed KES75 million in sponsoring this year’s Magical Kenya Open (MKO) Golf Tournament. This amount is part of an ongoing KES200 million sponsorship that was announced by Absa Group last year as the presenting sponsor.

“As a brand, we believe in connecting people’s dreams and ambitions to the financial resources that they need to achieve their aspirations, which is in line with our brand purpose of bringing possibilities to life. Our engagement with various stakeholders reflects our devotion to facilitate and achieve this pledge,” Jeremy added.

Caroline Ndungu- Corporate and Marketing Relations Director Absa Bank Kenya PLC, Paul Koech, Catherine Ndereba, Jeremy Awori Managing Director Absa Bank Kenya PLC (behind), David Rudisha, AMB.(Dr.) Amina C. Mohamed-Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Heritage and Culture in Kenya, Janet Jepkosgey, Susan Kamau- CEO Athletic Kenya and Charles Nyaberi- Treasurer National Sports Council at the Torch of Possibilities launch by Absa Bank PLC

Kenyans have been asked to register for the charity run by at any Absa bank branch near them.

ENDS…

For More Information, Please Contact

Charles Wokabi, 0725809375. Charles.Wokabi@absa.africa

About Absa Bank Kenya

Absa Bank Kenya PLC is listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange and is one of Kenya’s leading financial institutions. Established in 1916, Barclays has been a major player in Kenya’s financial landscape, engaged in personal and corporate banking, enterprise, credit cards, and bancassurance.

The bank offers end-to-end financial solutions to retail, enterprise and corporate customers, and its regional and global footprint enables it to offer cutting-edge financial solutions to its clients. The bank is a leader in the credit card space. It has also been associated with a number of market firsts, such as the launch of the first ATM, Sharia-compliant banking and unsecured lending.

Absa Bank Kenya has a presence in 38 counties. It has 86 branches, 212 ATMs and a robust Internet and mobile banking platform. The bank’s purpose is to bring possibilities to life.

About Absa Group Limited

Absa Group Limited (‘Absa Group’) is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and is one of Africa’s largest diversified financial services groups.

Absa Group offers an integrated set of products and services across personal and business banking, corporate and investment banking, wealth and investment management, and insurance.

Absa Group has a presence in 12 countries in Africa, with approximately 40,000 employees.

The Group’s registered head office is in Johannesburg, South Africa, and it owns majority stakes in banks in Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania (Absa Bank Tanzania and National Bank of Commerce), Uganda and Zambia. The Group also has representative offices in Namibia and Nigeria, as well as insurance operations in Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia, as well as offices in London and New York.

For further information about Absa Group Limited, please visit www.absa.africa