By Lwazi Dlamini
On Wednesday, January 1, 2025, First National Bank (FNB) Eswatini will have a new Chief Executive Officer in the much-experienced Thokozani Dlamini.
Dlamini, who has been CEO of FNB SA Merchant Services for six years, a role which was preceded by one as Merchant Services Chief Operations Officer for three years, will replace the outgoing Dennis Mbingo who has served the leading bank diligently for almost ten years.
“Following regulatory approval, the Board formally announces the appointment of Mr. Thokozani Dlamini to the role of CEO.
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We are confident that his extensive executive leadership and experience in banking gained through his exposure to the broader FNB and FirstRand group operations will provide the necessary oversight to see to the bank’s continued growth,”
said FNB Eswatini Board Chairperson, James Ndlangamandla when making the announcement on Tuesday night.
Ndlangamandla, in the statement, described Dlamini as someone who comes with both strategic and technical depth alongside a strong academic background as he holds both an MSc in Civil Engineering and a Master of Business Administration.
Prior to this, Dlamini attained a BSc in Maths and Environmental Science as well as a BSc in Civil Engineering.
“Mr. Dlamini’s innovative approach has seen him efficiently deliver strategic projects that have helped transform key payment platforms, including influencing the rollout of innovative payment solutions.
In his role, he has also provided critical support to some major clients in Eswatini,” Ndlangamandla said.
Ndlangamandla stated that to ensure a seamless handover process, the incoming CEO Dlamini will transition to FNB Eswatini from the month of August 2024 but will officially take on the new role in January 2025.
In accepting the appointment, Dlamini said: “I am grateful to the Board of FNB Eswatini for appointing me to this critical role.
I look forward to continuing to add value to FNB Eswatini staff, its customers and its shareholders. I will work closely with the Board, the Executive team and the staff of FNB Eswatini and I am optimistic that, together,
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we will take FNB Eswatini to the next phase of its growth as a valued contributor to Eswatini’s economy.”
FNB Eswatini Board Chairperson, Ndlangamandla then congratulated the outgoing CEO, Dennis Mbingo on his successful tenure.
“As the Board of FNB Eswatini, we wish to thank Mr. Mbingo for his leadership. He has led key growth initiatives and delivered on significant strategic priorities, including more recently the milestone listing and localization of FNB Eswatini and the construction of the Bank’s Head Office,” Ndlangamandla added.
The outgoing Mbingo said: “I have been fortunate to work with a very strong Board, excellent professionals, in our Executive and Management teams, as well as dedicated staff and our loyal clients.
The efforts of our banking colleagues in the sector, together with the support of our regulators, have seen incredible change and progress for the country.
My successor is walking into a unique environment that is ready to leap forward under his leadership. He has my support and best wishes,”
Mbingo, as CEO of FNB Eswatini, has worked with the management team in expanding the bank’s digital footprint,
increasing market penetration with key solutions and modernizing the bank’s technology and physical infrastructure while more than doubling the size of the bank’s balance sheet.
He has deeply invested in talent development and recruitment, with a focus on young people with specialist skills.
Mbingo’s commitment to corporate social investment resulted in the FNB Eswatini Foundation undertaking projects with a higher social impact during his tenure.