Kenny Fihla, chief executive of Absa Group, has been appointed chair of the Banking Association South Africa (Basa) with effect from Friday, 15 May 2026.
He succeeds Mary Vilakazi, chief executive of FirstRand, who served as chair of the Basa board during her tenure.
Read: Fihla says ‘goodbye Standard Bank, hello Absa’
Basa says Fihla’s appointment reflects the banking sector’s “collective responsibility” to work collaboratively in support of a “stable, resilient and inclusive financial system”.
According to the association, the role provides an opportunity to advance constructive engagement across the industry.
Fihla joined Absa in mid-2025 from Standard Bank Group, where he served as deputy CEO of the group and CEO of its South African operations.
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