james wika 
L-R: Absa Bank Kenya Director of Marketing & Corporate Affairs, Mwihaki Wachira and Sunshine Development Tour - East Africa Swing Chief Executive Officer, David Ndungu during the announcement of Absa Bank Kenya's KES 6 million sponsorship of the 2026 Sunshine Development Tour Series.
- Kenya’s next golf stars get KES 6 million boost as Absa backs Sunshine Development Tour;
Absa Bank Kenya has committed KES 6 million towards the 2026 Sunshine Development Golf Tour Series, backing three tournaments aimed at strengthening Kenya’s pipeline of emerging professional golfers and growing the sport across the country.
The sponsorship will support three legs of the Tour at Nyali Golf & Country Club,Ruiru Sports Club and Kipipiri Golf Club,with each tournament receiving KES 2 million towards prize money and tournament logistics.
This marks the second consecutive year that Absa has partnered with the Sunshine Development Tour,reaffirming the Bank’s commitment to strengthening Kenya’s golfing talent pipeline.
The investment comes at a time when development tours are playing an increasingly important role in giving talented golfers regular competitive opportunities,helping bridge the gap between amateur golf and the professional ranks.
Speaking on the partnership,the Director,Marketing & Corporate Affairs Absa Bank Kenya-Mwihaki Wachira said the sponsorship reflects Absa’s commitment to creating opportunities that enable talent to thrive.
“At Absa, we believe that talent reaches its full potential when it is matched with opportunity.
Through our partnership with the Sunshine Development Golf Tour,we are investing in a platform that gives Kenya’s emerging golfers the exposure,competitive experience and confidence they need to take the next step in their careers while contributing to the long-term growth of the sport.”
The first leg of the series tees off on Tuesday,7th July at Nyali Golf & Country Club,before moving to Ruiru Sports Club and Kipipiri Golf Club later in the season.
The three-day Nyali championship has attracted a strong field of 80 golfers from nine countries, including Kenya,Uganda,Tanzania,Rwanda,Nigeria,India,the United Kingdom,the United States and South Africa.
The field features seasoned professionals,rising amateurs,junior golfers and lady professionals,highlighting the Tour’s role as East Africa’s premier pathway to elite professional golf.
On his part,the Sunshine Development Tour-East Africa Swing CEO David Ndungu welcomed the sponsorship,describing it as another significant milestone in strengthening the Tour’s impact across the region.
“We are delighted to welcome Absa Bank as the title sponsor of the Nyali,Ruiru and Mt Kipipiri legs.
Partnerships such as this are critical in creating sustainable opportunities for our golfers and raising the standard of professional golf in East Africa.
The Sunshine Development Tour is providing a clear pathway for players to earn ranking points,compete consistently and progress to the Sunshine Tour and beyond.
Absa’s support strengthens that vision and gives our players even greater confidence in the future of the game.”
The Sunshine Development Tour has established itself as a critical pathway for golfers seeking to progress to higher levels of competition across Africa,with consistent tournament play providing players with the experience required to compete on regional and international stages.
Since its introduction last year,the Tour has seen several players earning Sunshine Tour playing cards and advancing to the next level of professional golf.
Among them are Njoroge Kibugu,who became one of the first East Africans to secure a full Sunshine Tour card,alongside Greg Snow,Dismas Indiza,and Rwanda’s Celestin Nsanzuwera, all of whom have progressed through the Tour to compete on the main Sunshine Tour.Lady pro.Naom Wafula also earned her card to play at the Sunshine Ladies Tour.
Beyond competing for a share of the tournament prize fund,players also battle for valuable Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points,World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR)points and Sunshine Development Tour Order of Merit points,which are crucial in securing progression to the main Sunshine Tour.
The sponsorship is part of Absa’s broader commitment to supporting initiatives that create lasting impact through partnerships that empower individuals, and contribute to Kenya’s long-term social and economic development, reflecting the Bank’s purpose of Empowering Africa’s tomorrow,together…one story at a time.
