Eva Ngigi Sarwari, the 45‑year‑old head of payments at Equity Group and managing director of Finserve Africa, passed away during a business trip to China, colleagues said.
Key Takeaways
- Eva Ngigi Sarwari died at 45 while on a business trip to China
- She held senior roles at Equity Group, Finserve Africa, Visa and Standard Chartered
- Colleagues described her death as a sudden, profound shock
- Her leadership was central to Equity’s pan‑African payments strategy
- Finserve Africa now faces a leadership transition amid rapid fintech growth
Career Milestones Across African Banking
Eva began her banking journey in June 2005 at Co‑operative Bank of Kenya, where she helped customers transition to electronic banking, demonstrating tools and training staff. After two years at Stanbic Bank Kenya managing transactional product sales, she moved to Standard Chartered in November 2012, eventually leading its transaction‑banking division for commercial clients across East Africa from July 2017 to January 2020. In that role she shaped revenue growth, product relevance and digital transformation for the region.
From 2020 to 2024 she served as senior director and country manager for Visa, overseeing the card network’s strategy in Kenya, South Sudan and Somalia. A brief stint at SC Ventures, Standard Chartered’s venture‑building arm, preceded her Visa appointment, where she led venture initiatives throughout 2020.
Equity Group Roles and Responsibilities
Read our earlier report: African Tech Week Sparks Major Moves
In January 2025 Eva rejoined Equity Group as group director for payments and international banking, tasked with executing the bank’s continent‑wide payments strategy. By April 2026 she was appointed managing director of Finserve Africa, the subsidiary that drives the group’s digital financial services, overseeing its commercial direction and day‑to‑day operations.
Her dual responsibilities placed her at the helm of both the parent bank’s cross‑border payment initiatives and the fintech subsidiary’s product rollout, linking traditional banking infrastructure with emerging digital solutions.
Colleagues React to Tragic Loss
Equity’s leadership released a statement describing the news as a “sudden and profound shock.” The announcement, issued on Tuesday, expressed condolences to Eva’s family, friends and colleagues and promised further updates as details emerge. No cause or exact date of death was disclosed in the statement.
The reaction underscored Eva’s reputation as a collaborative leader who bridged legacy banking and modern payments, a sentiment echoed by peers across the fintech ecosystem.
Impact on Finserve Africa and Regional Payments
Eva’s death arrives at a pivotal moment for Finserve Africa, which has been scaling digital payment solutions across the continent. Her strategic vision had positioned the subsidiary to partner with regional startups and expand interoperability, goals now left without her direct guidance.
The broader African fintech community feels the loss keenly; the sector has been navigating regulatory reforms and cross‑border payment challenges, areas where Eva’s experience was highly valued. For further context on how regional events shape fintech momentum, see our coverage of the recent African Tech Week.
Looking Ahead
While the immediate cause of Eva’s passing remains unconfirmed, Equity Group has pledged to support her family and ensure continuity of the projects she championed. The fintech landscape will watch closely as Finserve Africa and Equity’s payments division adjust to the leadership gap.
Frequently Asked Questions
What position did Eva hold at Equity Group?
She was the group director for payments and international banking and also served as managing director of Finserve Africa.
When did Eva join Equity Group?
She joined Equity in January 2025 and took on the Finserve Africa managing director role in April 2026.
Has a cause of death been released?
No official cause or exact date of death has been disclosed by the company.
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