Engineer Patrick Obath has been elected as the Vice Chair of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Executive Board and Chairman of ICC Kenya.
The appointment, made on June 11, 2024, during the ICC's annual meeting in Paris, is a notable milestone for Kenya and the African continent.
Obath, a distinguished figure in the Kenyan and East African business communities, brings over 35 years of experience in the oil and gas industry and over 12 years as a professional director, with extensive expertise in corporate governance, sustainability, and advisory services within the mining, energy, oil, and gas sectors.
ICC represents 45 million companies across various sectors in over 130 countries and holds UN Observer Status.
“His appointment underscores the growing influence and leadership of Kenya and Africa in the global business arena,” Kenya Private Sector Alliance said in a statement.
As a former Chairman of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) and current Chairman of the KEPSA Foundation, Obath has made significant contributions to corporate governance and sustainable business practices.
He has also served on the boards of the East African Business Council, Kenya Power and Lighting Company, Standard Chartered Bank Kenya, and the National Oil Corporation of Kenya.
Currently, he holds positions with UNGA Limited, Wananchi Limited, and other companies in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods sector, IT, and services sectors.
His leadership roles at PZ Cussons EA Limited, Java House Africa, Adrian Kenya Limited, Trade Catalyst Africa, Kenya Markets Trust, and African Alliance Investment Bank underscore his commitment to economic growth and development in Africa.
Obath's new role at ICC Paris is expected to further enhance Africa's presence in international commerce and trade.