Geoffrey Njuguna, CFO of Interswitch East Africa, was the day's winner when an intimate group of 16 CFOs gathered at Nairobi's Muthaiga Golf Club for a round of golf in December 2025. He shares his thoughts on the parallels between finding the fairways and the CFO role.
In December 2025, a small group of CFOs stepped away from boardrooms and spreadsheets and onto the golf course with the CFO East Africa community team. The day was meant to give finance leaders space to connect outside of work. For Geoffrey Njuguna, regional CFO of Interswitch, the experience was both enjoyable and revealing.
“I think today’s golf was a good one. I had a fantastic day and we played very well. Of course there were challenging scenarios, hazards and water, but overall we did very well,” he said.
Geoffrey described the round as demanding in the same way leadership roles often are. The course presented moments that required caution and others that invited risk. What mattered was responding to it with clarity.
“Golf is a refreshing moment. It helps you think. Every shot counts, so you have to figure out what your second shot is going to look like. You are always thinking about the next move so that you land in a safe place and get good results,” he explained.
For Geoffrey, the connection between golf and finance lies in strategy. Each swing forces a decision about what comes next, just as every financial decision sets up future outcomes.
Not all smooth sailing
“Every time you hit a shot you have to put in a strategy. You do this and then ask what next. At the end of the day CFOs are planners. They are the holders of strategy in most organisations,” he went on.
He spoke candidly about how he played, with moments that went smoothly and others that tested his patience.
“I think I did well on the front nine, going out with a score of 44. The back nine was a little bit challenging and I went in with 50. Overall I finished on 94. Sometimes I win and sometimes I do not win, but I keep at it and keep trying,” he said.
He also took stock of the technical details of his game, noting where he felt strongest and where he needed to improve. Those small self assessments are part of how leaders grow, whether on the course or at work.
“I think I had very good tee shots and my short game was also very good. That helped me a lot during the round. Looking back, those parts made a difference,” he said.
Till next time
Beyond each person’s performance, Geoffrey relished the shared experience. Spending time with fellow CFOs in a relaxed setting created room for conversation without pressure.
For finance leaders who often operate under intense scrutiny, those moments of connection were a reminder that leadership offered space for community and perspective. Another round, they said, would be welcome, for the chance to keep connecting with peers in a way that feels both familiar and grounding.
“I am looking forward to another round of CFO golf very soon. I do not know when it is going to be, but I am looking forward to the next one,” Geoffrey said.
