What does it mean to lead with impact? For Deloitte Consulting Tanzania finance head Relief Mtenga, aBi Finance Uganda head of finance Sonia Adibaku, L’Oréal East Africa CFO Linda Mfuchi and Ishara Towers Rwanda CFO Lilian Budandi, the answer goes far beyond the balance sheet. Ahead of International Women’s Day, the four finance leaders from across the region reflect on what it truly means to make a difference. She steps up to the listed tobacco manufacturer’s top finance role as Philemon Kipkemoi departs after nearly two decades at the company. Due diligence in the creative sector can be notoriously difficult, but emerging market infrastructure is changing the financial math. Discover how accredited platforms and technical assistance programmes like Ignite Culture are actively converting creative ventures into finance-ready SMEs. Mary had butterflies for an entire weekend before saying yes to the regional role. Two or three years before that, she had already been preparing someone else to take her place.
A finance leader’s real test is what happens when they are not in the room. Aerolink Uganda head of finance Dorothy Kiprono, ICEA Lion Life Assurance Uganda CFO Philip Ahabwe, and PowerUp head of finance Eva Zalwango share how they think about building teams that can carry the torch. Gladys steps in as Chemutai exits after a 25-year career at the bank, having expanded the CFO remit across East Africa and the continent. She moves to the insurance and asset management conglomerate after six years at the helm of EABL’s finance function. The bank's finance function gets access to opportunities for professional growth and peer connection. With East Africa's creative economy suffering from fragmented intellectual property systems, finance leaders often face suppressed valuations and high risk premiums. Here is how the proposed regional EAC Creative Bill aims to standardise cross-border licensing and unlock measurable revenue streams for patient capital. Tom Macharia believes the best lessons come from pain you choose to learn from. The head of finance at Amadeus East Africa is now building a life away from the place he called home for 26 years. There comes a moment in every finance executive’s career when the numbers alone cannot reveal what to do. Mi Vida Homes CFO Solomon Nzomo, Pass Trust finance director Doreen Mangesho and fractional CFO Michael Kariuki talk about the decision that tested them most and what it taught them. She learned her most prized skills beside her father during school holidays long before she knew she was being taught anything at all. Our outlook on risk assets remains broadly positive heading into the year. But we are watching four key risk factors that every investor in this environment should have firmly on their radar. The bank joins a growing community of East African financial institutions investing in the development of their finance functions. Chris Eyre believes the best CFOs join their teams on the ground to get their boots dirty. The Helium One CFO explains how he has turned his local expertise into a competitive advantage in Tanzania. NMB Bank has become the latest corporate member of CFO East Africa, giving its senior finance leadership team year-round access to regional finance networks and professional development opportunities. Finance leaders are watching closely as technological disruption and other changes redefine how organisations operate across the region. Weetabix East Africa CFO Dr Sebastian Nthama, Tropical Bank CFO Aminah Galenda and PharmAccess director of finance Charles Gachuhi reveal the shifts they believe will shape the future of business in East Africa. He steps up from his role as CFO, bringing over 12 years of financial leadership and strategic expertise to the top position.
For Equity's senior finance team, the membership provides year-round exposure to regional finance leaders and opportunities for career development. 2025 Young CFO of the Year Bilaal Ramjaun was recognised for rrevamping AzamPay’s pricing strategy and restructuring its business model to deliver sustained financial performance. In this interview, he reflects on why leadership at his age has meant holding steady through resistance.Four women redefining what impact means in East African finance
Catherine Chepkong’a named finance director at BAT Kenya
How festivals and funds de-risk creative investments for CFOs
Ipsos Sub-Saharan Africa CFO Mary Maina leads from the front
Building a team that works without you
Gladys Warirah succeeds Chemutai Murgor as Standard Chartered Bank Kenya CFO
Risper Genga Ohaga appointed group CEO of APA Apollo Group
Stanbic Bank Kenya joins CFO East Africa as corporate member
How the EAC Creative Bill unlocks bankable IP for CFOs
Why getting laid off taught Amadeus head of finance Tom Macharia resilience
Three CFOs reveal the hardest decision they ever made
Holiday lessons gave PSI Uganda head of finance Christine Nakayenga her edge
Should investors be worried in 2026?
Absa Bank Kenya joins CFO East Africa as corporate member
Helium One CFO Chris Eyre makes the case for the man on the ground
NMB Bank joins CFO East Africa as corporate member
The forces reshaping business in East Africa
Abdusalam Salim appointed CEO at Hass Petroleum
Equity Group takes up CFO East Africa corporate membership
AzamPay CFO Bilaal Ramjaun backs Tanzania’s digital payments boom
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Contact: KC Rottok Chesaina
CFO East Africa community manager
kcrottok@cfo-ea.com




