EVENTS

Expanding skywards
requires growth experts

May 2022

East Africa Property Investment Summit

Future-proof organizations need sustainable solutions. This is why we’re proud to sponsor this year’s East Africa Property Investment (EAPI) Summit. This year’s event marks the first in-person conference of industry leaders in two and a half years. It will feature keynote addresses, interactive panel discussions, case studies and formal and informal networking opportunities.

The East African regional real estate sector experienced positive growth and saw recovery in 2021, with more growth expected in future. Delegates to the EAPI Summit will have the opportunity to explore key topics like:

  • Continued Improvements in Infrastructure Development
  • New Statutory Reforms Supporting the Real Estate Sector
  • Emerging sub-sectors now at the forefront of development opportunities
  • Nairobi and Kigali establishing themselves as innovation hubs
  • ESG principles driving investor, consumer and occupier behavior

The bravery to imagine. That’s Africanacity

Speakers

Unlocking your potential with insight and sustainable solutions.

jeremy

Jeremy Awori

Managing Director, Absa Bank Kenya PLC

Jeremy Awori is the Managing Director and CEO of Absa Bank Kenya PLC since February 2013. He has extensive experience in executive leadership having held senior positions in different multi-national financial institutions across the United Kingdom, North America, Asia and Africa.

In addition to his responsibilities at Absa Bank Kenya PLC, Jeremy serves on the Boards of Absa Financial Services Limited (AFS), First Assurance Holdings Limited as well as several Absa Bank Kenya subsidiaries.  He is a former Chairman of the Kenya Bankers Association, where he sits on the Governing Council, and a retired board member of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA). In 2020, Jeremy was appointed by the President to the Board of Kenya COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund. He is also a Board Member of the United Nations Global Compact Network Kenya.

His exemplary leadership was honored by the All Africa Business Leaders Awards (AABLA) which ranked him among the top 2 Business Leaders on the continent in 2018. He has also been voted top CEO shaping the business agenda in Kenya by Business Monthly for two three consecutively.

Jeremy is a passionate thought leader on Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Innovation and sustainable business practices.  He is a sports enthusiast and has competed in swimming  internationally.

He obtained a Master of Business Administration degree from McGill University in Montreal, Canada, and a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from Manchester University in the United Kingdom. He is also a fellow of the Aspen Global Leadership Institute and a member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO).

jeff

Jeff Gable

Chief Economist, Absa

Jeff Gable is the Head of FICC Research and chief economist for Absa. His top-rated analyst team covers fundamentals-based macro and market strategy research on South Africa and more than a dozen markets across sub-Saharan Africa. At the 2019 Spire Awards, the Absa FICC Research Team was awarded first place in the research categories of SA Economics, SA Fixed Income, SA FX, SA Credit, and Africa Economics and also won Best Research House. Jeff joined Absa in early 2007 from Barclays in London, having spent his earlier career at Deutsche Bank (London), the International Monetary Fund (DC) and the Bank of Canada (Ottawa).

somaya-joshua

Somaya Joshua

Head: Commercial Property Finance (Africa Region)

Somaya has over 20 years experience in Financial Services both within South Africa and globally. Her global approach to client centric solutions and risk management provides a unique perspective to the range of multinational clients supported. Her experience has allowed her to provide pragmatic solutions in commercial real estate, risk analysis, business process and risk management. Somaya’s subject matter expertise has impacted external and internal stakeholders (including multinationals) in both strategic, financial and operational management. She has managed change in different environments, developed high performing teams and partnered with other Executives on an ongoing basis.

elizabeth

Elizabeth Wasunna-Ochwa

Business Banking Director at Absa Bank Kenya PLC

Elizabeth Wasunna-Ochwa is the Business Banking Director at Absa Bank Kenya PLC. Elizabeth has vast experience and skills in strategic leadership, driving growth in sales, development and growth of Small & Medium Enterprise & Commercial Banking Business in Africa, development of Ecosystem partnership in Business and women in Business growth.

In her present role at Absa Bank Kenya Plc, Elizabeth is responsible for leadership and growth of Commercial and SME Banking, Business banking Trade and cash management, Islamic Banking, Vehicle and Asset Finance and Agri Business. Under SME, she is spearheading the women in business proposition with proactive partnerships including as ITC (International Trade Centre) under SHE Trades, Kenya National Chamber of Commerce & Industry ( KNCCI), Kenya Private Sector Alliance ( Kepsa) & Kenya Association of Manufactures ( KAM) just to name a few. Elizabeth’s banking career and experience spans over 25 years having started her career in Barclays Bank of Kenya as a trainee. She has worked in two other Tier 1 banks in different capacities, most recently as the Head of Business Banking at Standard Bank in Malawi. Elizabeth holds a Bachelor of Science in International Business Administration and a Master’s in Business Administration with emphasis in Marketing and Strategic Management both from USIU.

She is a 2020/2021 recipient of following awards:

  • Top 10 finalist of the Angaza Awards (The Kenyan Wall Street body) acknowledging Women to Watch in Banking and Finance in East Africa.
  • Kayana News publication in Kenya year 2021 - Top Women to watch in 2021.

She has also participated in various local and international webinars in support of business growth.

james

James Agin

Regional Corporate Banking Director, East Africa, Absa Bank Kenya PLC

James is a seasoned professional spanning over 25 years of Pan-African banking experience in multi-Country Business Strategy and Leadership, Country Business Leadership, Corporate Banking, Asset Finance and Treasury/Markets. He has held a number of executive management positions at various financial institutions including Barclays Bank of Kenya, Barclays Bank of Uganda and Kenya Commercial Bank. He has held the position of the Corporate Banking Director Barclays Kenya now Absa Bank Kenya PLC since November 2014 and now holds the role looking into the East Africa market as the Regional Corporate Banking Director.

James also has 11 years of Board experience and has served in the Boards of Barclays Uganda and the Boards of KCB subsidiaries in South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi. Prior to joining Barclays Kenya/Absa Bank Kenya, he worked as the Chief Business Officer for Kenya Commercial Bank Group for 3 years and also served as the Corporate Banking Director for 1.5 years. His leadership has seen completion/execution of key deals in key sectors in Energy, Manufacturing, Real Estate, Transport et al.

James holds several accolades including recipient of the ‘Corporate Banker of the Year’ at the Think Business Banking Awards 2019. He holds an Advanced Management Program from Harvard Business School, an MBA from the IESE Business School in Spain and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Nairobi.

john

John Kaburu

Regional Manager & Head of Mortgages, Absa Kenya PLC

John Kaburu is a seasoned banker with a career spanning over 20 years’ in Personal, Business and Mortgage Banking. He is currently, the Regional Manager & Head of Mortgages for Absa Bank Kenya’s Retail & Business Bank. John’s experience has garnered him the coveted Absa, Africa Regional Operations Shujaa Award in recognition of his contributions to the Bank.

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East African property is on the rise

Despite the challenging economic environment experienced over the last three years, the East African property market is one that appears to be offering some exciting potential for patient investors. While Emerging Market property faces certain headwinds including inflationary pressures, rising global interest rates and liquidity squeezes, there are reasons to feel optimistic about the sector as a whole.