NAIROBI, Kenya – The Financial Inclusion Fund, widely known as the Hustler Fund, has appointed Henry K. Tanui as its new Chief Executive Officer for a renewable three-year term.
Tanui, a seasoned banker with more than 24 years in the financial services sector, takes over from Elizabeth Nkukuu, who has led the Fund since its launch in 2022.
The Board credited Nkukuu for her “dedicated service and pioneering leadership” in laying the foundation of the initiative, which has become central to the government’s financial inclusion agenda.
Tanui has previously held senior positions at Ecobank, Consolidated Bank of Kenya, and the Industrial and Commercial Development Bank of Kenya.
His expertise spans risk management, SME and business lending, mortgages, personal finance, and international trade finance.
In his acceptance remarks, Tanui said his immediate priority would be to strengthen loan repayment systems, scale up financial literacy, and expand lending channels to reach more Kenyans.
“The Hustler Fund has already proven to be catalytic in supporting livelihoods and economic growth. My focus will be on reengineering our collection processes, strengthening financial literacy, and building ecosystem lending channels that expand our reach and deepen our impact,” he said.
The appointment comes as the Fund reports lending milestones, with more than 26 million Kenyans having accessed affordable loans since its inception.
Cooperatives and MSME Development Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya praised the Fund’s role in economic empowerment, urging the new leadership to boost repayment rates to help borrowers improve their credit scores.
Principal Secretary for MSME Development, Susan Mangeni, noted that over 9 million Kenyans have improved credit histories as a result of the programme, enabling them to tap into mainstream financial institutions.
Outgoing CEO Nkukuu expressed pride in establishing the Fund, which has disbursed billions to households and small businesses, and wished her successor success.
The Hustler Fund, one of President William Ruto’s flagship programmes, was created to expand access to affordable credit for small traders, youth, and low-income households, many of whom remain excluded from traditional banking systems.
