Hustler Fund Board announces appointment of new CEO

Incoming Financial Inclusion Board CEO Henry Tanui/COURTESY

The Board of the Financial Inclusion Fund, popularly referred to as Hustler Fund, has announced the appointment of Henry Tanui as its new CEO.

The appointment was made through a statement issued September 3, 2025.

Tanui is set to serve a renewable term of three years.

He succeeds Elizabeth Nkukuu, who has led the Fund since its inception.

“The Board acknowledges Nkukuu’s dedicated service and pioneering leadership, which established a strong foundation for the Fund,” it reads.

An accomplished financial services professional, Tanui brings over 24 years of industry experience.

His areas of expertise include risk management, MSME and business lending, personal finance, mortgages, and international trade finance.

He has held senior positions at Ecobank, Consolidated Bank of Kenya, and the Industrial and Commercial Development Bank of Kenya.

His extensive background has given him a deep understanding of Kenya’s economic development and the vital part that financial services play in promoting inclusive growth.

Cooperatives and MSME Development Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya, commended the role of the Fund in the country’s socio-economic agenda.

“The Financial Inclusion Fund has already provided affordable credit to more than 26 million Kenyans. As we look ahead, I encourage the Hustler Fund team to enhance their efforts in promoting timely repayments to improve credit scores and to expand financial literacy programmes that support Kenyans in succeeding,” he said.

MSME Development Principal Secretary Susan Mang’eni, on her part, highlighted the Fund’s impact in enhancing financial inclusion.

“Through the Hustler Fund, over 9 million Kenyans now have improved credit histories and are more capable of accessing financing from mainstream financial institutions. We extend our gratitude to Elizabeth Nkukuu for her steady leadership in establishing the Fund and guiding it through its early stages,” she stated.

In his remarks, Tanui expressed optimism about the Fund’s future direction.

“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.

Nkukuu expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to serve.

“It has been a privilege to serve Kenyans by establishing and launching the Hustler Fund. I am proud of the progress we’ve made in reaching millions of households and MSMEs. I warmly congratulate Henry Tanui and wish him the very best in this next chapter," she said.