Absa Bank Kenya has congratulated Athletics Kenya, the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, and generations of Kenyan athletes following Nairobi’s successful bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships. The bank described the achievement as a reflection of decades of athletic excellence that cements Kenya’s place among the world’s top athletics nations.
As a longstanding partner in the country’s sports development, Absa views the milestone as recognition of Kenya’s lasting impact on global athletics — built on the commitment of athletes, coaches and support staff over the years, as well as Athletics Kenya’s leadership in growing the sport internationally. Over the past ten years, Absa has channelled nearly KES 2 billion into Kenya’s sports sector. That support includes six years as title sponsor of the Absa Kip Keino Classic, a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting that has helped showcase Nairobi’s readiness to host top-tier athletics events. The bank also backs the Absa Sirikwa Classic Cross Country, a World Athletics Gold Level Cross Country Tour event staged at Lobo Village in Eldoret.
Commenting on the achievement, Absa Bank Kenya Marketing and Corporate Affairs Director, Mwihaki Wachira, said:
“We are absolutely thrilled to celebrate this historic achievement for Kenya, Africa and the global athletics community. Bringing the World Athletics Championships to African soil for the first time is a defining moment that reflects decades of excellence by Kenyan athletes, the leadership of Athletics Kenya and the collective efforts of all those who have worked to elevate the sport. For years, our investment in events such as the Absa Kip Keino Classic and Absa Sirikwa Classic has been driven by a belief that Kenya belongs on the global stage.”
Beyond sponsoring events, Absa’s partnership with Athletics Kenya also focuses on holistic athlete development and welfare, including financial literacy programmes run across training camps to help athletes manage their earnings and build secure financial futures.
Nearly a decade into its partnership with Athletics Kenya in nurturing homegrown talent and raising the sport’s profile, Absa says it regards this milestone as a defining chapter in Kenya’s athletics legacy and a proud moment for the continent as a whole.