History of the bank
Established in Tanzania in 1998, Habib African Bank belongs to the most famous, respected and trusted Habib family who are treated as the pioneers of banking industry in the sub continents
Habib family has been in the forefront of an active and acclaimed 
international banking business for over 8 decades. Habib Esmail, following the death of his father at an early age, joined a leading dealer in metals, copper and brass and subsequently became a junior partner in the firm within five years by virtue of his hard work, honesty and business acumen. In 1920 he founded his own business of financing traders and introduced merchant banking under the name of Habib & Sons. After the death of Habib Esmail in 1931, his two sons, Dawood and Mohamed Ali not only consolidated their father’s business but took it to new heights by extending to new areas.
Habib Bank Limited which later on turned out to be the flagship of Habib family’s business was founded in Bombay in 1941. The bank relocated its head office to Karachi before the creation of Pakistan and played a pivotal role in meeting the basic banking and financial needs of the new country specially during its infancy.
Carrying on the mantle from Dawood and Mohamed Ali, their sons shaped the Habib Bank as one of the largest commercial banks in South Asia with 875 branches in Pakistan and 44 branches overseas. In January 1974 all domestic banks were nationalized in Pakistan; so was Habib Bank Limited. The group moved to Europe and Africa for establishing its operations and eventually entered back into Pakistani market in 1992 by opening its flagship bank, Bank Al Habib which was to be one of the largest banks in Pakistan soon.
Our future outlook
We feel pride and greatly honoured in seeing our customers showing their trust and confidence by staying with us from generation to generation. In future too, we will remain committed to gaining our customers’ loyalty by staying true to the underlying principles of honesty and integrity. Our future growth will be founded on our strong ethical code. At Habib African Bank, by adopting the principles of trust, honesty, hard work and efficiency to new financial directions, we will remain true to the guiding principles which have made us a highly professional and trusted international bank.
Directors of the Bank
The current Board of Habib African Bank Limited is comprised of experienced professionals of highest integrity as follows:
Zain Habib – Chairman
The second son of Mr. Habib Mohamed D Habib, he started his banking career at Union Bank of Switzerland in 1990. He joined Habibsons Bank in 1993 and became an Executive Director in 2000. His painstaking contributions in the setting up of Habib African Bank during the founding years can not be ignored. An experienced banker, an artist and a great cartoonist, he published his first book ANSADAFONE, narrating through his drawings the dominant role the domestic telephone plays in our daily lives.
Ahmed H. Habib – Non Executive Director
The eldest son of Mr. Habib Mohamed D Habib, he joined Habibsons Bank in 1989 after a number of years at Union Bank in Switzerland. An acclaimed investment banker, in 1994 he became Executive Director and subsequently Managing Director, the position he held until Habibsons Bank’s association with Habib Allied International Bank in 2011.
Vazir A. Bukhari – Non Executive Director
Mr.Bukhari who started the Habib African Bank and held the position of its first Managing Director has a banking career spread over 5 decades holding senior assignments in both pre and post nationalized Habib Bank Limited. His international banking career spans over 32 years and included posting in countries like the UK, UAE, Kenya, Tanzania and Yemen. His contributions in the setting up and creating a solid base of the bank for future growth during its infancy is commendable.
Amb. Radhia N. Msuya
A seasoned and career diplomat, Ambassador Radhia Naima Msuya carries with her 25+ year work experience and hands on expertise in international diplomacy, high level negotiations and management. Due to holding academic backgrounds in International Relations, Diplomacy and Administration coupled with professional training through UN Disarmament Fellowship Program, Peace Research, Foreign Service Course etc, she was able to rise from the position of a Senior Foreign Service Office to the rank of Ambassador holding the Europe and Americas Desk. She has good grasp of economy and Finance; local and global.
Mwatumu J. Malale
A retired civil servant, Ms Malale during her 35 years’ service held senior positions in different ministries, prominent among them, as Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Culture, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Community Development, Women Affairs and Children, Deputy Principle Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office, and Assistant Secretary, President’s Office-Houser. She has been associated with different committees, organizations, boards in various capacities, prominent among them as Chairman of the Board of Directors, Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority , Chancellor, Muslim University of Morogoro, Member of the Board of Directors, Tanzania Ports Authority / Tanzania Education Authority, Member of the Board of Trustees, National Social Security Fund, Member of the Advisory Board, Vocational and Education Training Authority.
Yahya Ally Mchujuko
A retired Central Banker/Economist holding Post Graduate degree in Agri Economics from Unversity of Reading, UK , Mr. Yahya Ally Mchujuko has vast experience of working with Bank of Tanzania for 34 years, 13 of which at senior levels, like Manager and Director. His major skills are focused in Economics,Human Resources, Financial Matters, Micro Finance,Banking Supervison, Debt Management and General Management of Central Bank branches.
Shamiza N. Rattansi
An established and accomplished lawyer who is currently a partner in the ARS Law and Advisories heading the Corporate and Finance Department in Dar es Salaam. Her practice focuses mainly on Corporate, Commercial, Merger and Acquisitions, Banking and Finance, Private Equity, Regulated Sectors including Capital Market and Telecommunications. Among her experience included acting as local counsel for IFC on several occasions and Company Secretary and Legal Advisor to leading local and foreign banks.
Syed S. Hasan Rizvi – Managing Director
A well educated and experienced banker who had been on the board of three banks prior to joining Habib African Bank in 2008. Starting his career in Habib Bank Limited, he worked for 22 years in both pre and post nationalized era of the bank including 10 years in Kenya in senior positions. His vast experience spanning over 4 decades included international banking exposure of 31 years.