Henry Tanui has officially been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Inclusion Fund, widely known as the Hustler Fund, succeeding Elizabeth Nkukuu who has led the institution since its inception. With more than 24 years of experience in the financial services industry, Tanui brings a wealth of expertise that positions him to guide the Fund into its next phase of impact and growth.
The new CEO has an extensive background in financial services, having held senior positions at Ecobank, Consolidated Bank of Kenya, and the Industrial and Commercial Development Bank of Kenya. His areas of specialization span across risk management, MSME lending, business lending, personal lending, mortgages, and international trade finance. This experience has given him a deep understanding of Kenya’s economic development and the essential role financial services play in driving inclusive growth.
Speaking on his appointment, Tanui emphasized his commitment to strengthening the Fund’s role in economic transformation. He highlighted his vision to reengineer collection processes, enhance financial literacy, and expand ecosystem lending channels to ensure broader reach and greater impact across Kenya. His approach signals a renewed focus on sustainability, accountability, and deepening financial empowerment for millions of Kenyans.
The outgoing CEO, Elizabeth Nkukuu, expressed pride in the milestones achieved under her leadership. Since its inception, the Hustler Fund has reached millions of households and MSMEs, offering affordable credit solutions that promote financial inclusion. Nkukuu commended the resilience of the Fund and extended her best wishes to Tanui as he steps into this pivotal role.
Government officials also commended the progress of the Hustler Fund. Co-operatives and MSME Development Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya reaffirmed the Fund’s contribution to Kenya’s socio-economic agenda, highlighting that more than 26 million Kenyans have accessed affordable credit through the initiative. He underscored the importance of timely repayments and stronger financial literacy programs to further strengthen the Fund’s long-term success.
MSME Development Principal Secretary Susan Mangeni noted that the Hustler Fund has improved the credit histories of over 9 million Kenyans, enabling them to access financing from mainstream financial institutions. She praised Nkukuu for her steady leadership in laying a strong foundation and welcomed Tanui’s appointment as an opportunity to scale the Fund’s impact even further.
