A remittance is money sent by a person in a foreign land to his or her home country. Due to the huge sums involved oftentimes, remittances are now being recognised as an important contributor to the country’s growth and development.

Kenya is the third largest diaspora remittance recipient in sub-Saharan Africa and the fourth largest receiving country in Africa. In 2025, according to the Central Bank of Kenya, remittance flows reached US$5.084 billion, accounting for roughly 4.0 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and representing a leading source of foreign exchange.

In fact, since 2015, remittances have overtaken traditional exports such as tea, coffee, and tourism, becoming the country’s largest source of foreign currency.

This success has largely been driven by innovative Money Remittance Providers (MRPs) and visionary leaders who ensure funds reach families swiftly and securely. The MRPs are firms licensed by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) to provide platforms that allow people who live abroad to send money back home to their families, friends, or communities.

Now for the first time, let’s take a look at the CEOs who helm these organisations that facilitate over 60% of East Africa’s remittances, leveraging world-class mobile money infrastructure and global partnerships to empower millions.

– WorldRemit

While not African by heritage, Mark Lenhard, the Global CEO of Zepz—the UK-based fintech behind Sendwave and WorldRemit—has led an aggressive expansion into the continent’s remittance corridors.

In 2024, WorldRemit processed millions in transfers to Kenya, capitalising on its low fees (averaging 3–5% for digital transfers) and partnerships with local banks and M-Pesa, the leading mobile money platform in the country. Sendwave also contributed significantly to the then US$4.94 billion remittance pool, particularly in high-volume money transfer routes such as the US-to-Kenya, which accounts for 51% of total inflows.

Lenhard’s emphasis on digital solutions has made WorldRemit and Sendwave favourites among younger diaspora members, with their app facilitating more than half of their international transactions.

Before being appointed Global CEO of Zepz, Lenhard served as Chief Operating Officer of Bill.com, and was previously CEO of Invoice2go, a software platform that empowers independent, service-oriented small businesses to grow and manage payments.

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He holds a BA in Economics from Yale University and an MBA from Stanford University Graduate School of Business.

– Western Union

Western Union, a legacy giant in cross-border money movement and payments, remains a trusted name in Kenya’s remittance market, partnering with hundreds of agents, including PostBank and M-Pesa, to facilitate cash pickups and online mobile transfers.

Devin B. McGranahan, CEO since 2021, has steered Western Union toward digital transformation while maintaining its extensive physical network.

He joined the company from Fiserv, Inc., a global provider of payments and financial services technology solutions, where he was serving as Executive Vice President and Senior Group President of Global Business Solutions.

The 56-year-old holds a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School, a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

– Tawakal Express

Zakarie Hashi, CEO of Tawakal Express, leads one of Africa’s largest remittance providers, serving Kenya’s diaspora, particularly from Somalia and the Middle East, with low-cost bank transfers, mobile money services, and cash pickups across continents.

As the CEO, Hashi, 35, is at the forefront spearheading Tawakal’s mission to make international money transfers fast, flexible, and fair, serving thousands of customers globally.

“I drive fintech innovation to provide secure, fast, and seamless remittance services,” he says about his role at the company on his LinkedIn. “Leading the development of digital solutions that enhance customer experience, streamline transactions, and connect diaspora communities with their families worldwide.”

A seasoned executive with a background in fintech, Hashi has been the Head of Business Development at Banana Pay and a data scientist with AbbVie, the global biopharmaceutical company headquartered in North Chicago, IL.

He holds a degree in Statistics from Jordan’s Yarmouk University and an MSc from Western Michigan University.

– MoneyGram

Anthony Soohoo is the Chairman and CEO of MoneyGram, joining the company in 2024.

With more than 25 years’ experience in financial technology services, he has previously held senior positions at several Fortune 100 companies, including Walmart, CBS, Yahoo!, and Apple.

Soohoo is now leading MoneyGram into a fully digital era, using innovation and new technologies to enhance the ease and speed of cross-border payments.

MoneyGram’s reliability and global reach make it a key player, especially for remittances from Saudi Arabia and the UAE, where Kenyan migrant workers are increasingly active.

– Dahabshiil Money Transfer

Abdirashid Duale is the CEO of Dahabshiil Money Transfer, one of Africa’s most recognisable fintech brands, connecting communities across the globe.

Born in Somaliland, Duale inherited the family business founded by his father, Mohamed Said Duale, in 1970 as a modest import-export company. Throughout the years, he has built Dahabshiil Group into the trusted name it is today, processing millions in remittances to Kenya annually.

Licensed by the CBK, its network now spans 126 countries, with a strong focus on intra-African corridors such as Tanzania-to-Kenya, Kenya-to-Somalia, and Somalia-to-Kenya.

-For Kenya’s diaspora, sending money home is an act of love, and these CEOs at the helm of top remittance providers make it possible.

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