Reinette van der Merwe Appointed Group CEO of Letshego Africa Holdings

Reinette van der Merwe Appointed Group CEO of Letshego Africa Holdings. Letshego Africa Holdings Limited (LAHL) has announced the appointment of Reinette Estelle van der Merwe as Group Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 October 2025. Her appointment was approved by the Non-Bank Financial Institutions Regulatory Authority (NBFIRA).

Van der Merwe steps into the role with over three decades of experience in the banking and financial services industry, having held senior leadership positions in both Botswana and South Africa. She previously served as Chief Executive Officer of First Capital Bank Botswana and as Managing Director of Barclays Bank Botswana, now Absa Bank Botswana. Her career also includes key leadership roles within the broader Absa Africa Group.

An accomplished executive, van der Merwe is a Chartered Accountant [CA (SA)], a member of the Botswana Institute of Chartered Accountants (BICA), and holds both a Bachelor of Commerce and an Honours in Accounting from the University of Pretoria, along with a Master of Commerce degree.

The Letshego Board welcomed her appointment, describing her as a leader with a strong record in driving strategic transformation, strengthening financial governance, and building trusted stakeholder relationships. The Board expressed confidence in her ability to guide Letshego in advancing its mission of promoting inclusive finance across Africa.

The company also extended its appreciation to Mr. Brighton Banda, who has been serving as Interim Group CEO since February 2025. Banda was commended for ensuring operational stability and continuity during the transition period.

For Botswana’s financial sector, this leadership shift marks a significant development, as Letshego continues to play a critical role in expanding access to financial solutions across the continent. Van der Merwe’s appointment positions the company to deepen its impact while navigating a dynamic regional market.