Get ready to shine a spotlight on the region's most exceptional finance leaders - with nominations now open for the inaugural CFO Awards for East Africa.
Aimed at CFOs who excel in their field, the CFO Awards for East Africa spotlights CFOs of listed companies, large corporations, state-owned entities and government institutions , recognising them for excellence in finance leadership.
Billed as the Oscars of Finance, the ceremony will host top CFOs, VIPs and business partners for an exquisite evening of networking, entertainment and fine cuisine during a gala dinner in Nairobi on 27 November 2025
The CFO Awards highlight outstanding financial leadership, innovation, and strategic management, honouring those who have made significant contributions to their organisations and the broader business community.
"I am thrilled to announce that, for the first time, we will be recognising finance leaders from across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda. CFOs play a critical role in driving growth and financial resilience, yet they often work behind the scenes without adequate recognition. These awards are a chance to shine a spotlight on the outstanding contributions of CFOs to their organisations and the regional economy. I am excited to see our finance leaders gain the appreciation they truly deserve,” CFO East Africa community manager KC Rottok Chesaina says.
To nominate a CFO or finance leader, simply visit the CFO Awards for East Africa website and fill out the nomination form. Nominations can be made by anyone, including colleagues, employees, partners, and customers. The nomination process is easy, and it only takes a few minutes to complete.
Nominees will go through an intensive interview and judging process before the winners are announced at a glamorous gala dinner on 27 November 2025 in Nairobi.
The hand-picked panel of expert judges will evaluate the nominees in the following categories:
- CFO of the Year Award
- Social Impact CFO of the Year Award
- Young CFO of the Year Award
- Finance Transformation Award
- Transformation and Empowerment Award
- Strategy Execution Award
- Compliance and Governance Award
- High-Performance Team Award
- Finance and ESG Award
- Finance and Technology Award
The judging panel for the 2025 CFO Awards for East Africa consists of seasoned finance and business leaders from diverse fields, some of them former CFOs, who bring their expertise and unique insights to the evaluation process. The judges thus far are:
- Nelson Rwihula, CEO, UAP Tanzania
- Daniel Ngumy, Managing Partner, Anjarwalla & Khanna
- Ruth Zaipuna, CEO, NMB Bank Plc
- George Odenyo, CEO, ATC Kenya
- Carole Kariuki, CEO, KEPSA
- Julian Ingabire, director of strategy and institutional sustainability, ICPA Rwanda
- Andrew Ssekamwa, CCO, Movit
- John Bugunya, vice president, ICPAR
- Mkombozi Karake, CEO, GIGS
- Hanif Jaffer, founder and director, Exim Bank Tanzania & Uganda
- Carol Musyoka, founder and CEO, Carol Musyoka Consulting
- Samuel Sejjaaka, principal and country lead, MAT Abacus Business School
- James McFie, board chair, Sasini and senior lecturer, Strathmore University
