Strategy took centre stage at the 2025 CFO East Africa Kick-off Summit, where leading finance executives traded insights on ways to embed agility into corporate planning and leverage their skills to shape the progress of the country.
As the world prepares to mark International Women’s Day on 8 March, finance leaders pause to reflect on the strides women have made in the profession. Ahead of the day, Lake Turkana Wind Power CFO Alice Wathika, Liquid Intelligent Technologies CFO Shime Baligira, and FINCA Uganda CFO Robinah Siima share their perspectives on how far the sector has come and what remains to be done.
Culture is the silent force behind any successful organisation. While the CFO role is often assumed to have little to do with influencing organisational culture, finance leaders are at the core of shaping a company's culture, writes Jackline Aluda, CFO of Cold Solutions. Calvin Mugume has been appointed as the chief finance officer of Next Media. The first-time CFO joins the Ugandan multimedia company after five years as the audit and finance lead at sustainable impact finance institution Platcorp Group, boasting over a decade of experience across multiple industries. Lake Turkana Wind Power CFO Alice Wathika has broken barriers as the first female finance leader in one organisation after another. In a conversation with CFO East Africa, she reveals how her passion for delivering impact at the community level has defined her trailblazing journey.
CMCL founder and CEO Carol Musyoka, who has more than a decade of experience in corporate governance consulting, has joined the experienced panel of judges for the inaugural CFO Awards for East Africa. The seasoned lawyer and entrepreneur speaks to CFO East Africa about the importance of big-picture thinking for C-level finance executives.
Finance director Kinya Kimotho has embarked on a three-month career sabbatical to focus on mentoring, leading and driving impact in new spaces. Artificial intelligence is reshaping the way business is done across the world, and finance is no exception. Kisima Farm CFO Francis Ngumbi, Liquid Intelligent Technologies CFO Shime Baligira, and Deposit Protection Fund Uganda finance director Dr Michael Lugemwa share their thoughts on the risks and benefits of generative AI.
Innocent Rwetabura finds joy in fostering success. For him, a fruitful career is about more than just making profit. He hopes to leave a lasting impact on his mentees and help them achieve their goals.
Jubilee Health Insurance recently launched J-Force, a digital platform designed to streamline policy management, client engagement, and transaction processing with the overall goal of improving the insurer’s efficiency. According to CFO Eugine Mutekhele, the platform aims to transform the way insurance is distributed, accessed and experienced.
In the current economic landscape, where geopolitical and macroeconomic environments are constantly changing, the role of the CFO has become increasingly dynamic. ICPAR director of strategy Julian Ingabire, ICPAR vice president John Bugunya, and Exim Bank Tanzania founder Hanif Jaffer, who form part of the 2025 CFO Awards judges’ panel, offer their perspectives on the most pressing issues facing CFOs today. In another life, Kioo financial controller Dipen Patel might have played cricket for the Tanzanian national team. Despite his skill as a bowler, he decided to hang up his boots to pursue a different line of work.
2025 CFO Awards judge Hanif Jaffer’s experience as the founder of Exim Bank Tanzania and a CPA gives him a rare vantage point on the CFO Role. He speaks to CFO East Africa about the lessons he has learned along the way, emphasising the value of staying ahead of the curve.
Kenya’s sole power distributor recently made headlines after declaring an interim dividend of Ksh 0.20 per share for the first time in nine years. Kenya Power's general manager for finance Stephen Vikiru speaks to CFO East Africa about the milestone, which marks a major turnaround for the utility.
Saint Augustine once said, "The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page." For Yas Tanzania CFO Innocent Rwetabura, FINCA Uganda CFO Robinah Siima, Nyumba Group CFO Vishal Soni, and Watu Credit CFO Steve Onyango, journeying to different parts of the world has left a lasting impression, with each yearning to return to these uniquely inspiring destinations.
BasiGo CFO Jonathan Green is a man on a mission to transform Nairobi’s transport system. He explains how his desire to use finance and technology to drive social impact led him to create a start-up with an ambitious vision for e-mobility in Africa.
In an insightful interview, ALN managing partner Daniel Ngumy, who will be a judge at the 2025 CFO Awards for East Africa, emphasises the importance of dynamism in today’s finance leaders. He highlights the need for integrity in the profession, recognising the awards as an important platform for enhancing the profile of CFOs in the region. Linda Mfuchi will take on the role of CFO at L'Oréal East Africa from 1 March 2025, after two years as corporate finance controller at L'Oréal. She boasts over a decade of experience in financial modelling, forecasting, planning, and reporting.
When Nyumba Group CFO Vishal Soni lost his mother in 2018, he was left rudderless. All of his career decisions until that point, including rejecting any job offers outside of his native Mombasa, had been made with her in mind.CFO Kick-off Summit: Finance executives explore strategy in a disruptive era
International Women’s Day: Women CFOs talk diversity, inclusion, and the future
CFOs: The tip of the spear in formation of organisation culture
Calvin Mugume takes on CFO role at Next Media
CFO Alice Wathika is turning lives around at Africa’s largest wind farm
2025 CFO Awards judge Carol Musyoka has an eye for talent
Finance director Kinya Kimotho starts a new chapter
To adopt or not to adopt: Finance leaders wade into the GenAI debate
Yas Tanzania CFO Innocent Rwetabura revels in the successes of others
CFO Eugine Mutekhele explores the impact of digital insurance platforms
2025 CFO Awards judges tackle the biggest challenges facing finance leaders
Kioo Financial controller Dipen Patel is creating a legacy of compassion
Exim Bank Tanzania founder Hanif Jaffer defines what makes a CFO exceptional
Kenya Power's Stephen Vikiru reveals the strategy behind the utility's exceptional comeback
Which travel destinations fuel your wanderlust?
BasiGo CFO Jonathan Green is building a greener future
2025 CFO Awards judge Daniel Ngumy believes a career is a marathon, not a sprint
Linda Mfuchi takes over as CFO of L'Oréal East Africa
How spirituality reignited Nyumba Group CFO Vishal Soni’s zest for life
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Contact: KC Rottok Chesaina
CFO East Africa community manager
kcrottok@cfo-ea.com




