BIAN expands global board with East Africa appointment

By Milan Rojan

The Banking Industry Architecture Network (BIAN) has appointed Rita Apell Akot, Chief Information Officer at Stanbic Bank Uganda, to its Executive Board, making her the organisation’s first board member from East Africa. The appointment has supported BIAN’s strategy to strengthen collaboration with African financial institutions and expand the adoption of banking architecture standards across global markets.

Rita Apell Akot, Chief Information Officer at Stanbic Bank Uganda and Executive Board Member at BIAN, said: “It’s an honour to join BIAN’s Executive Board, and to be contributing to an organisation that’s shaping the future of banking globally. East Africa is home to a dynamic and innovative banking sector, and I look forward to fostering greater dialogue around the world.”

BIAN has said the appointment reflected growing participation from African banks within its global community and reinforced its commitment to fostering collaboration across diverse banking ecosystems. The organisation has expected Akot’s regional expertise to support greater engagement with financial institutions navigating digital transformation and evolving regulatory requirements.

Africa’s banking sector has continued to experience rapid technological change, prompting financial institutions to modernise infrastructure while improving governance and operational resilience. Through the appointment, BIAN has aimed to encourage wider adoption of best-practice banking architectures that support long-term innovation and interoperability.

Hans Tesselaar, Executive Director at BIAN, said: “We are delighted to welcome Rita to BIAN’s Executive Board. Throughout our history, we have seen how bringing together different perspectives and experiences strengthens our organisation and the value we deliver to the industry.”

The appointment has formed part of BIAN’s broader strategy to advance banking interoperability through common standards while expanding its presence across emerging markets and strengthening cooperation between financial institutions worldwide.