Absa Bank Kenya has committed KES65 million to the 2026 Magical Kenya Open (MKO) Golf Tournament, reinforcing its position as the event’s presenting partner and the largest private-sector sponsor for the 15th consecutive year.
The 57th edition of the tournament, part of the DP World Tour, will be held from February 19 to 22 at Karen Country Club in Nairobi. It remains one of Africa’s flagship sporting events, drawing elite international players and extensive global media coverage.
Under the sponsorship arrangement, KES40 million will be channelled directly to the Kenya Open Golf Limited (KOGL) to support tournament organisation, while KES25 million will be used by Absa for marketing, fan engagement and stakeholder experience initiatives. The bank said the investment aligns with its broader strategy of supporting sports development and promoting Kenya as a global tourism and sporting destination.
Absa Bank Kenya Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Abdi Mohamed said the sponsorship reflects the lender’s brand positioning around long-term value creation and excellence. He noted that the tournament offers a platform not only to showcase golf but also to project Kenya’s profile internationally through sport.
The Magical Kenya Open attracts top-tier professional golfers from around the world and delivers significant exposure for the country’s tourism sector. Government officials have increasingly framed the tournament as part of a wider sports-tourism strategy, linking major international events to economic growth through hospitality, travel and global visibility.
State Department of Sports Secretary Administration Evans Achoki said Absa’s long-standing sponsorship has played a key role in elevating the tournament’s status and positioning Kenya as a premier destination for international sporting events. He described the partnership as evidence of how sport can contribute to broader economic and branding objectives.
KOGL Chairman Patrick Obath also emphasised the importance of sustained private-sector backing, arguing that public–private partnerships are critical to maintaining world-class standards for events hosted in Kenya. He said consistent sponsorship has helped transform the Magical Kenya Open from a niche, elite competition into a more inclusive family and lifestyle event, while still meeting global tour requirements.
This year’s tournament has attracted a field of 144 players from 25 countries, including 10 Kenyan professional and amateur golfers. Among the local professionals are Njoroge Kibugu, Dismas Indiza and Greg Snow. Competitors will vie for a total prize purse of KES348.3 million (about USD5 million), one of the largest in African golf.
As part of its sponsorship package, Absa will again support the “Beat the Pro” challenge, which pairs junior golfers with professionals in a closest-to-the-pin contest. Junior winners will receive fully funded Absa Junior Accounts worth KES50,000, a move the bank says is aimed at promoting early financial inclusion and nurturing young talent.
Absa Bank Kenya, which is listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange, is one of the country’s largest financial institutions, with operations spanning personal and corporate banking, bancassurance and asset management. The lender operates across 38 counties, underscoring its strategy of combining national reach with high-profile brand investments such as the Magical Kenya Open.
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