Stanbic Bank bridges the gender gap in leadership

Dar es Salaam. An initiative by Stanbic Bank Tanzania has seen more women getting into leadership positions as the bank seeks to bridge the gender gap.

Across industries, organisations are empowering women leaders not only to drive business success but also to foster inclusive growth and innovation.

Despite these advancements, women continue to face significant barriers to leadership, particularly in developing regions like Africa. 

However, Stanbic Bank Tanzania, which has been nurturing female talents through its “Ignite Women Leadership Programme” since 2018, says 54 per cent of the program’s graduates have either been promoted or have taken on more challenging roles, with three advancing to senior executive management.

“The progress represents a positive shift of eight per cent in female representation at the top levels of management, a testament to the programme’s effectiveness,” said the bank in a statement.

The bank’s head of people and culture, Rabina Masanja, emphasised the bank’s commitment to gender equality in leadership.

“At Stanbic, we believe that the future of our organisation depends on the strategic efforts we make today to develop our female leaders.

The Ignite Programme is not just about training; it’s about creating opportunities for women to lead with confidence and purpose,” she said.

This year, the bank expanded the programme with three key initiatives aimed at sustaining and accelerating the progress of women leaders.

The Re-Ignite Alumni Female Leadership Programme reconnected with previous participants, reinforcing the bank’s commitment to their ongoing development.

“Leadership is a journey, not a destination. Through the Re-Ignite Programme, we are ensuring that our alumnae continue to grow and lead with excellence,” said the bank’s board member, Ms Violet Mordichai, who officiated the event.

In addition to supporting alumnae, Stanbic Bank has also launched the Africa Risers Network, a new initiative designed to foster continuous learning among young and emerging female talent.

The programme includes a structured book club aimed at equipping future leaders with the knowledge and tools needed to thrive in a dynamic environment.

“By investing in our young talent, we are not only preparing them for leadership roles but also ensuring the sustainability of our leadership pipeline,” added Ms Masanja.

The launch of the third and largest Ignite Cohort to date this year welcomes a diverse group of women who represent the next wave of leadership at Stanbic Bank Tanzania.

Gracing the welcoming event, guest of honour Prof Anna Tibaijuka said; “Programmes like Ignite are crucial for shaping the future of leadership in Tanzania.

They provide women with the skills, confidence, and networks needed to overcome barriers and excel in their careers.”