I&M Bank introduces Mastercard World Elite Credit Card to Kenya’s premium banking segment
July 23, 2026 | Nairobi, Kenya
Shameer Patel, Director, Retail & Business Banking, I&M Bank (left) Sarit Raja-Shah, Group Executive Director, I&M Bank and Shehryar Ali, Senior Vice President and Country Manager for East Africa and Indian Ocean Islands at Mastercard
- Collaboration brings Mastercard's premium World Elite tier to Kenya's affluent and globally mobile clientele, with no minimum spend requirement
- Cardholders can enjoy The Mastercard Collection, an elevated suite of dining, entertainment, and travel benefits
Nairobi, Kenya — July 23, 2026: I&M Bank Limited, a leading Tier 1 commercial bank in East Africa, has today announced the launch of the Mastercard World Elite metal credit card, marking a significant expansion of its premium card portfolio to date. The solution, developed in collaboration with Mastercard, positions I&M Bank as one of the newest issuers in the region to offer World Elite status on a metal card to the Bank’s high-value customer segment.
Joining the Bank's existing premium suite, the card is designed for clients seeking convenience, security, global acceptance, and access to exclusive lifestyle and travel benefits.
“Kenya's affluent professionals and global executives no longer measure prestige by what a card represents on paper, but by what it unlocks in the world,” said Kihara Maina, Regional Chief Executive Officer, I&M Bank. “The Mastercard World Elite credit card is our answer to that shift. It is engineered for those who travel often, entertain widely, and expect their bank to move at the same pace as their ambitions.”
Shehryar Ali, country manager for East Africa and Indian Ocean Islands at Mastercard, said: “The Mastercard World Elite credit card represents the very pinnacle of our premium portfolio, and this collaboration with I&M Bank reflects the growing sophistication and global mobility of the clients we serve in Kenya. This is far more than a product launch. It is a commitment to connecting Kenya's most discerning consumers to their everyday passions, ensuring they have seamless, secure access to the same world-class privileges and priceless experiences available anywhere in the world.”
Eligible cardholders will have access to The Mastercard Collection, an exclusive suite of dining, entertainment, and travel benefits for World Elite cardholders. Through this offering, customers can enjoy globally connected experiences – from priority dining reservations and exclusive entertainment access to seamless travel experiences, including airport lounges, Fast Track lanes and new Taste by Priceless dining space at select international airports.
The card also carries no minimum spend requirement, giving qualifying clients instant access to its full suite of benefits from day one. Additionally, it is supported by advanced security features, including fraud monitoring, purchase protection, emergency services, and a dedicated support line for World Elite cardholders.
With Kenya’s high-net-worth population having grown by 14% between 2015 and 2025, demand for premium financial solutions continues to rise alongside increasing global mobility. The growth of this segment is driving increased demand for financial products that combine seamless global acceptance with elevated lifestyle and travel benefits. The Mastercard World Elite credit card is designed to meet these evolving expectation.
About Mastercard
Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re building a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.
