Nairobi, Kenya, September 2025 – DIB Bank Kenya Ltd, a subsidiary of the world’s first Islamic bank, Dubai Islamic Bank PJSC, has announced the appointment of Samir Gupta as its new Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director. Bringing over three decades of experience in international banking, fintech, and financial strategy, Gupta steps into this critical role at a transformative moment for Islamic finance in Africa.
In his new role, Gupta will spearhead the bank’s strategic and operational agenda, focusing on ethical, Shariah-compliant banking solutions, customer trust, and regional leadership in innovation and growth. His appointment marks a renewed commitment to financial sustainability, regulatory excellence, and long-term prosperity in the region.
“I am honored to lead DIB Bank Kenya at this pivotal time for Islamic finance in Africa,” Gupta said. “Together, we will champion ethical Shariah-compliant banking solutions that drive economic success, deepen trust with our customers, and solidify DIB’s role as a catalyst for innovation, growth, and opportunity in Kenya and across the region.”
Prior to his current role, Samir Gupta served briefly as Executive Management Consultant, advising financial institutions on long-term strategy, governance, and capital growth.
He previously held the role of Chief Financial Officer at Hakbah, a fintech based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. During this time, he led finance, compliance, and risk functions, negotiated strategic funding initiatives, and strengthened the organization’s financial foundation for high-scale growth.
Before joining Hakbah, he served as Chief International Banking Officer at DOHA BANK for two years. In this capacity, Gupta oversaw strategy, transformation, and operations across international markets, optimizing growth, compliance, and efficiency across global branches.
Earlier, Gupta spent nearly six years with Mashreq Bank, where he led global origination and coverage across 23 countries and managed a $7B risk asset portfolio. His leadership drove double-digit revenue growth and made Mashreq a top syndicator in Sub-Saharan Africa.
At Standard Chartered, he served as Head of Banks Segment for Sub-Saharan Africa, increasing client revenues by 40% and leading major regional expansion. His success in Africa solidified his reputation as a transformational leader in frontier markets.
His tenure at Citigroup spanned over 20 years, culminating in senior roles including Head of Public Sector Banking across Asia Pacific, Market Manager for Southern India, and Regional Relationship Manager for East and Southern Africa. He played a pivotal role in launching SME banking in India and aligning technology and operations with global standards.
About DIB Bank Kenya Ltd
DIB Bank Kenya Ltd is a fully-owned subsidiary of Dubai Islamic Bank PJSC, the pioneering institution that introduced Shariah-compliant banking to the world. Headquartered in Nairobi, the bank is anchored on the principles of progressiveness, ethics, innovation, and reliability.
With a mission to deliver unsurpassed customer service and innovative Islamic financial products, DIB Bank Kenya is poised to redefine ethical banking in East Africa. By blending tradition with cutting-edge solutions, the bank empowers clients across retail, corporate, and institutional sectors with products that support financial inclusion, sustainable development, and community advancement.
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