Nairobi: The Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing has received a significant boost as Absa Bank Kenya announced a Sh 4 million sponsorship for the ninth and tenth legs of the tour.
According to Kenya News Agency, Absa is also committing an additional Sh 3 million for leverage, which includes customer engagements and activations. This move highlights Absa Bank's dedication to enhancing the experience for players, fans, and customers.
The two legs of the tour are scheduled over the next two weeks at Thika Greens Golf Club from January 14 to 16 and at Karen Country Club from January 19 to 21, 2026. Absa's sponsorship supports the bank's long-standing commitment to the growth of professional golf and sports development in Kenya. It will aid tournament logistics and increase prize money, with each event offering a Sh 2 million purse. This investment ensures that players compete under professional conditions that meet global standards while earning valuable Official World Golf Ranking points crucial for advancement in major global tours and the Olympic Games.
During the sponsorship announcement, Absa Bank Kenya Head of Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Charles Wokabi expressed that the partnership reflects Absa Bank's commitment to nurturing potential early, enabling progression in both sport and life. Wokabi emphasized that the Sunshine Development Tour provides Kenyan golfers a pathway to global stages such as the Magical Kenya Open Golf Tournament. He stated that Absa's involvement in sports like golf and athletics mirrors the bank's broader purpose of enabling progress for customers and communities.
The sponsorship is pivotal as it supports the Tour's inaugural season's final two events, concluding the campaign launched last year. The Karen Country Club event will serve as the season finale, where the top 12 players on the combined East Africa Swing and South Africa's Big Easy Tour Order of Merit will earn direct playing cards at the Sunshine Tour.
CEO of International Management Group (IMG) Kenya, Peter Gacheru, welcomed the sponsorship, emphasizing its significance in strengthening the tour at a defining stage of the season. He noted that Absa's support is crucial for delivering tournaments at the right standard, rewarding performance fairly, and building a sustainable pathway for East African golfers. Gacheru also highlighted the tour's successful first season, demonstrating the demand for structured professional competition in the region.
The Thika Greens leg has attracted a strong field of 83 golfers from 11 countries, including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Malawi, Zimbabwe, and the United States.