Mr. Luke Ombara

Luke Ombara is currently Director, Policy and Market Development, at the Capital Markets  Authority, Kenya, where he provides strategic and technical leadership in Policy Formulation & Analysis, Product Development and Uptake, Innovation, Awareness and Certification

He has held various posts at the Authority including heading its research, market infrastructure,  derivatives, and product development departments. Luke is a senior economist with over 28years’  experience, in which he has published numerous public policy submissions, adopted by Kenyan Government, that have enhanced capital markets oversight, investor protection and overall capital  markets development in Kenya.

Luke is an Alumni of the Harvard-Kennedy School and Wharton School Executive Programs. He is  also a Balance Score Card Professional and a full member of ICIFA, CISI and Kenya Institute of  Directors. He also has certifications in Islamic Finance, Structured Commodities and Derivatives  Markets, Sustainable Finance and Corporate Governance. 

Mr. Ombara currently chairs a number of influential Committees including: the Kenya Capital  Markets Master Plan Implementation Secretariat; the Kenya Capital Markets Pooled Funds  Committee; the Joint Technical Committee of CMA, NSE and CDSC and Innovations and Technology  Committee of the Financial Sector Regulators Forum; as an Associate Member of the Toronto  Leadership Center; and as Alternate to the Chief Executive on the Growth and Emerging Markets  Committee of the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO). He previously  served as the NSE Demutualization Champion, Project Manager for establishment of a Derivatives  Market in Kenya as well as the Islamic Finance.

Luke conceptualized, initiated and is the Editor of the Capital Markets Soundness Report, a  quarterly assessment of the health and soundness of the capital markets in Kenya, the only  publication of its kind in the continent.

Mr. Ombara is a strong advocate for women empowerment in leadership locally and within the continent as a catalyst to economic development through access to finance. He sits in the Judges  Panel of the Angaza Awards, an initiative since 2020, that recognizes women to watch in Banking  and Finance and raises awareness of seasoned women within the financial services sector towards  promoting board and C-level diversity. 

Mr. Ombara is an ardent soccer fan, relishes a broad genre of contemporary and classical music, as  well as an avid reader of innovative publications.