Absa has announced a KES60 million sponsorship of the 2025 Magical Kenya Open. This makes it the largest private sector sponsor of the prestigious golf tournament for 14 years.
The 56th edition of the Magical Kenya Open presented by Absa is set to tee off from 20th to 23rd February at the lush green Muthaiga Golf Course. The bank reaffirms its commitment to growing the sport and supporting Kenya’s position as a leading golf destination.
As part of the sponsorship, Absa has allocated KES 40 million to support the local organising committee through Kenya Open Golf Limited (KOGL). This investment aims to ensure the successful execution of the tournament, while the remaining amount will enhance promotional efforts and create exclusive experiences for fans and stakeholders, ultimately delivering a world-class event.
Absa Bank Kenya PLC’s Managing Director & CEO, said, “At Absa, our purpose is to empower Africa’s tomorrow together…one story at a time. Through our sponsorships, we showcase the undeniable socio-economic impact of sports. These initiatives boost tourism, create jobs, and invigorate local economies, illustrating our commitment to sustainable growth and community empowerment. Beyond the swing, the influx of attendees from around the world bolsters our hospitality and transport sectors, benefiting small businesses and local communities. This ripple effect directly enhances our economy. Moreover, the Magical Kenya Open showcases Kenya’s rich cultural heritage to a global audience, proving it’s always more than just golf; it’s about the stories that matter, because to us, every story matters.”
The Magical Kenya Open is a premier event in sub-Saharan Africa, part of the DP World Tour, and has significantly contributed to establishing Kenya as a global destination for golfing and sports tourism. This year’s tournament will host 144 elite golfers worldwide, including eight professional and two amateur golfers representing Kenya.
They will compete over four exciting rounds for a share of the remarkable KES322.5 million (USD 2.5 million) prize purse. The Kenyan professionals participating include Njoroge Kibugu, Greg Snow, David Wakhu, Samuel Njoroge, Dismas Indiza, Mohit Mediratta, Riz Charania, and Edwin Mudanyi.
From humble beginnings, the MKO tournament is today regarded as one of the most important sporting events in Sub-Saharan Africa, putting Kenya on the global map through international broadcast that reaches over 500 million people worldwide. It also serves a patriotic duty of promoting Kenya as a global golfing and sports tourism destination.
Beyond golf, the bank also contributes to athletics through the Absa Kip Keino Classic and the Sirikwa Classic championship. In football, the Absa brand has proudly served as the official banking partner for the Premier League in Africa for over a decade.