Absa Bank Kenya unveils First Sharia’h Compliant Bank Account

kassim f August 20, 2025

Absa Bank Kenya Champions Financial Inclusion with Kenya’s First Women’s Only Sharia’h Compliant Bank Account;

The Absa Bank La Riba proposition is deeply rooted in strong values, crafted with an eye for inclusion and designed to serve ethically conscious customers, whether Muslim or non-Muslim.
La Riba Sultanah is the first Shariah-compliant bank account designed to cater to women entrepreneurs in Kenya.

Absa Bank Kenya PLC has announced an enhancement of its Shariah-compliant banking offering through the launch of La Riba Sultanah – Kenya’s first Shariah-compliant account designed to empower women entrepreneurs with financial independence and business growth.

This marks a significant milestone in Absa’s strategic commitment, aligning with its sustainability pillar that seeks to deepen financial inclusion and to be a people’s champion that caters to diverse consumer segments.

The La Riba Sultanah account is designed to help users manage finances effortlessly, grow their savings while aligning to their values. Additionally, customers can access diverse Shariah-compliant personal and business financing, mentorship and networking, and markets through business clubs and partner conferences.

Speaking during the launch, Absa Bank Kenya Chief Finance Officer Yusuf Omari said that Sultanah is built for the visionary business woman that wants to bank ethically while meeting their business financial goals.

“La Riba Sultanah is designed to empower women without compromising their values. It reflects our continued efforts to support all segments of the economy by providing inclusive, ethical, and innovative financial solutions that enable our customers to thrive,” said Mr. Omari.

He added: “We are making deliberate efforts towards serving women who have historically been excluded from the financial ecosystem and active economic participation due to a lack of tailored financial solutions.

Through Sultanah, we are bridging this gap by providing them with the right tools for financial management, savings, and investment that align with their faith, values, and ambitions.”

Additionally, customers will access a Shariah-compliant Credit Card that has an enhanced value proposition, including cashbacks and discounts, health and wellness with complimentary health check-ups and wellness packages at partner clinics, education and career advancement programmes.

The solution was launched on the sidelines of the 2025 Absa Annual Islamic Conference in Nairobi, which brought together scholars, industry leaders and policy makers for a two-day deliberation on the legal framework surrounding Islamic finance.

Among the key highlights of the conference was the launch of the Association of Shariah Compliant Services Providers of Kenya.

The association aims to facilitate advocacy, lobbying, and the demystification of Islamic finance as an alternative model for financial inclusion.

The association will also facilitate research and generate evidence-based data to inform policymaking and work towards influencing responsive policy frameworks.

A leader in the sector, Absa Bank Kenya was the first bank to introduce Islamic banking in Kenya two decades ago. This underscores the bank’s commitment to innovations that cater to diverse segments.

Absa Bank’s La Riba offerings are grounded on Murabaha, an Islamic principle that strictly forbids transactions involving interest, and have been developed in close consultation with Absa Bank’s independent Shariah Board to ensure they adhere to Islamic finance standards and meet the financial needs of the Muslim community.

La Riba banking is designed not only to serve Muslim customers but also to accommodate conscientious non-Muslim customers who follow Shariah guiding principles and values.