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Absa Group has announced a major milestone in its decade-long digital transformation strategy, successfully modernising its banking infrastructure across multiple African markets with the deployment of advanced, AI-compatible SAP technologies.
The transformation journey, which began in 2011 following the Barclays acquisition, was driven by the need to unify operations across the continent while enhancing business agility and operational efficiency. At the core of the initiative was a commitment to modernise finance and procurement systems to meet evolving regulatory and customer demands.
Annelie Hurter, Head of FC Technology Enablement and Finance Business Sponsor for SAP rollout at Absa, explained that the initial phase aimed to integrate all African entities into Barclays’ central platform. However, technical constraints—particularly around handling master data and core banking functionalities—led to a strategic pivot.
“We recognised the limitations early and recalibrated. After a seven-month pause, we shifted to a phased rollout model, starting with Zambia in 2016. This approach allowed us to test and refine a scalable blueprint suitable for the wider group,” said Hurter.
This revised strategy, branded Project Owari—inspired by the strategic African board game—was rolled out across Mauritius, Seychelles, Ghana, Tanzania, Botswana, and Uganda between 2016 and 2019.
The initiative coincided with the group’s separation from Barclays in 2017 and SAP’s global evolution toward its cloud-first S/4HANA platform. Absa’s phased implementation of SAP S/4HANA emphasised “clean core” principles: minimal customisation, standardised workflows, and disciplined governance to avoid scope expansion.
Hurter noted that much of the implementation occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, leveraging cross-border remote teams. While Kenya’s deployment was largely virtual, the South African rollout highlighted the need for flexibility, prompting Absa to separate the launch of its ledger, reporting, and procurement systems. The bank also adopted Coupa to digitise procurement and enhance spend control.
“With our enhanced data models, we’re now positioned to respond swiftly to regulatory requirements, improve transparency in disclosures, and explore next-generation tools such as SAP’s Financial Products Subledger and AI-powered financial intelligence,” Hurter added.
Nazia Pillay, Interim Managing Director for Southern Africa at SAP, praised the initiative, stating: “Absa’s digital journey demonstrates the resilience and foresight needed to lead banking innovation on the continent. The successful transformation of its core systems sets a solid foundation for future tech-led growth.”
Absa’s transformation not only aligns with global best practices in regulatory technology and operational efficiency but also reinforces its position as one of Africa’s leading financial institutions. With operations in 12 countries and strategic global representation, the Group is positioning itself for long-term, scalable innovation driven by data and artificial intelligence.
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