The East African Development Bank (EADB) has appointed Ugandan banking executive Anne Juuko as its new Director General, handing her the task of steering the regional lender through its next phase of growth after a sharp increase in profits and lending.
Juuko officially took office on October 2, 2026, following a decision by the bank’s Governing Council, which also approved reforms aimed at improving EADB’s performance and strengthening its governance.
Outgoing EADB Director General, Benard Mono (left), officially hands over to the newly appointed Director General, Anne Juuko
Her appointment comes after EADB recorded a 51% increase in profit before tax in 2025, while loan disbursements jumped by 140%, highlighting the bank’s growing role in financing economic activity across the region.
The institution also maintained investment-grade ratings of A from S&P Global and Baa3 from Moody’s, both carrying stable outlooks.
Juuko brings more than 20 years of experience in banking, financial markets and executive leadership across East and Southern Africa. She joins EADB from Standard Bank Group, where she was Regional Head of Global Markets for Eastern Africa.
Her previous positions include Managing Director and CEO of Stanbic Bank Uganda, Head of Corporate and Investment Banking at Standard Bank Namibia, as well as senior roles at Citibank Kenya and Citibank Uganda.
Yusuf Murangwa, Rwanda’s Minister of Finance and Economic Planning and Chairperson of the EADB Governing Council, said Juuko’s experience across African financial markets made her well suited to lead the institution.
“Anne Juuko is a distinguished financial sector leader with a strong record of delivering growth across multiple African markets,” Murangwa said.
He said EADB was entering a critical stage in which the new Director General would be expected to accelerate transformation, tap into opportunities that remain underdeveloped and expand the bank’s contribution to regional economic growth.
“Ms. Juuko joins EADB at a pivotal moment,” Murangwa said, adding that the Governing Council expected her leadership to strengthen the bank’s position as a leading development finance institution in East Africa.
For Juuko, the immediate focus will be on expanding EADB’s development finance activities, finding new sources of long-term capital and building partnerships capable of increasing the bank’s reach.
“It is a privilege to join an institution that has been in existence for almost sixty years,” Juuko said.
She added that she would work with stakeholders across the region to build on the achievements of the bank’s management and staff and deliver greater socio-economic impact.
The leadership change is also accompanied by governance reforms approved by the Governing Council.
Murangwa said the reforms were intended to build on the bank’s existing progress and improve the results it delivers to its member states.
“Strong governance is the foundation of a credible development bank,” he said.
EADB was established in 1967 and later re-established under a new Charter in 1980, expanding its mandate to provide a wider range of financial services while supporting socio-economic development and regional integration.
The bank is owned by Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda, alongside other development and commercial financial institutions.
Juuko takes over after Benard Mono, EADB’s Senior Director for Finance and Treasury, oversaw the institution during the interim period, with the Governing Council crediting him with maintaining continuity and stability during the transition.