Dr Jane Kimemia’s journey from the quiet streets of Kiambu, Kenya, to the boardrooms of some of Africa’s most powerful financial institutions tells a story of quiet determination, grace under pressure, and the transformative power of purpose-driven leadership.
Born and raised in a modest household, her worldview was shaped by two strong influences: her father, a banker whose discipline and work ethic she deeply admired, and her mother, a nurse whose compassion for people instilled in her a lifelong desire to serve.
Even as a child, Jane was drawn to the world of finance — she recalls poring over her father’s bank reports and dreaming of one day walking into a corporate office that bore her name on the door.
After earning her university degree in Kenya, she began her professional journey in the banking sector, a path that would later define her as one of East Africa’s most respected female executives.
Her career spanned over twenty-eight years in financial services, starting with Barclays Bank, where she learned the fundamentals of financial management and client engagement.
Her natural aptitude for leadership soon saw her rise to senior positions at Standard Chartered Bank, where she became Executive Director and Head of Wealth Management for East Africa.
Her work in investment services and insurance later paved the way for her transition into the wealth management and investment immigration space — a field that would become her defining platform for innovation and impact.
In 2017, Dr Kimemia took on one of her boldest challenges yet — leading Optiva Capital Partners, a Lagos-based wealth management and investment immigration firm.
As Chief Executive Officer, she reimagined the company’s structure, expanded its reach across borders, and built a team of over 1,000 professionals.
Under her leadership, Optiva Capital became synonymous with excellence and innovation, offering clients across Africa bespoke investment advisory, second citizenship, and residency solutions.
Her approach was rooted in the belief that wealth creation must be coupled with empowerment — that finance is not just about figures but about improving lives and enabling possibilities.
Dr Kimemia’s leadership style combines strategic insight with emotional intelligence, a balance that allows her to connect authentically with clients, partners, and employees alike.
This blend of competence and compassion has distinguished her not only as a CEO but also as a mentor to women navigating Africa’s competitive corporate landscape.
She has consistently emphasized that women must be valued for their abilities, not their gender, reminding rising professionals that credibility comes from results, capability, and consistency.
Beyond her corporate achievements, Dr Kimemia’s influence extends into philanthropy and social development.
Through the Everlasting Foundation, she has initiated and supported projects aimed at empowering vulnerable communities.
In Kenya’s Kibera settlement, her programs provide school meals, mentorship, and sanitary products to girls, helping to combat the barriers that keep many young women out of education.
In Nigeria, her foundation has partnered with healthcare institutions to rehabilitate maternal health centers, ensuring that women in underprivileged areas receive quality care.
These initiatives are a reflection of her broader belief that true success must leave people better than you found them.
Her impact has not gone unnoticed. In 2024, Dr Kimemia received the Pan-African Entrepreneur of the Year Award at the House of Lords in the United Kingdom, a recognition of her leadership excellence and her contribution to economic transformation across Africa. She also holds a Doctorate degree from an American university, a testament to her commitment to lifelong learning and the pursuit of excellence.
Dr Jane Kimemia has unique style of leadership — one that is global in perspective, yet deeply rooted in local realities; financially astute, yet guided by empathy.
She has built her reputation not through noise but through results, shaping institutions and inspiring individuals along the way.
Her story stands as an emblem of possibility for women across the continent, illustrating that ambition and altruism can coexist, that one can lead with both heart and intellect, and that Africa’s future will be written by those who dare to serve as much as they strive to succeed.
In every sense, Dr Kimemia’s journey mirrors the rise of African women in business — visionary, resilient, and redefining leadership on their own terms.
