Kenya’s Quresha Abdullahi elected East Africa HR Federation first president

Kenya's Quresha Abdullahi has been chosen as the first President of the East Africa HR Federation. Abdullahi, serving as IHRM Kenya's Executive Director, took office at the 2nd Africa Human Resource Summit (AHRS 2026) held in Arusha, Tanzania. The new federation aims to enhance human resource practices within the East African Community (EAC), improve regional collaboration, and standardize professional practices across member states.

During the summit, Odero Phillip Dalmas, representing the International Human Resource Management Council, commended Abdullahi's appointment as a testament to the recognition Kenya's HR profession has gained in the region. He also promised sustained cooperation between Kenya and other African associations as the federation progresses.

Kenya's selection highlights the country's achievements, as it has established a legal framework for HR management through the Human Resource Management Professionals Act (Cap 538), which has accelerated professionalization. The AHRS 2026, organized by THRAPA and supported by AHRC, brought together HR leaders, policymakers, and practitioners from across Africa.

The summit focused on transforming Africa's workforce for the future, aiming to shift the continent's HR discussions from individual national conversations to a unified continental agenda.