During a breakout session at the CFO Summit: Reflections and Aspirations, in Kampala, Uganda, business leaders discussed the disruptive power of technology and changes in the global economy. Their reflections revealed a clear shift from safeguarding numbers to shaping strategy.

Knight Frank Uganda head of finance Asibat Mwambu, Baylor Foundation FD Marie Nassiwa-Martin and Africa Healthcare Network group CFO Michael Kariuki share how mentorship has shaped their careers and why they make it a priority.

The Rwandese national joins a growing list of leading finance executives who will compete in the inaugural ‘Oscars of Finance'.

As a child, Ampersand head of finance Collins Otieno had pictured himself as an engineer, a far cry from his present role. But time and experience have imbued him with a passion for social impact and the uncanny ability to bloom wherever he is planted.

CFOs must evolve beyond the traditional focus on financial oversight to remain relevant in a rapidly changing world. This was the take-home from EY Uganda managing partner Geoffrey Byamugisha’s address at the CFO Summit: Reflections and Aspirations at the Four Points by Sheraton in Kampala.

The CFO Summit: Reflections and Aspirations, held in Kampala a year after the CFO East Africa Uganda chapter launch, saw the region’s finance leaders convene at the Four Points by Sheraton Kampala’ to share their perspectives on the current business environment.

Yusuf resumed his role as CFO in May 2023 after serving as interim managing director at the financial services provider for six months.

Ernst Vriesendorp takes on the CFO role at African Clean Energy (ACE) as it enters a critical phase in its growth. He speaks to CFO East Africa about his plans to leverage his experience in impact-driven finance and operational scale-ups across frontier markets to support ACE’s mission to channel investment into solutions that deliver tangible social and environmental value

Christine also serves as the vice president of partnerships at Kepler.

Gabriel will lead the non-profit’s efforts in financial strategy, operational excellence, institutional resilience, and sustainability integration.

When Baylor Foundation Uganda finance director Marie Nassiwa-Martin made the leap from the UK back to her home country, she had to make some tough calls. But through it all, her resilience, rigour and integrity continue to be a beacon for her peers in the profession.

A year after the launch of its Dar es Salaam chapter, CFO East Africa returned to the financial hub of Tanzania with a renewed focus on leadership and resilience. The CFO Summit: Reflections and Aspirations saw finance leaders convene at the Dar es Salaam Serena hotel to share perspectives on the evolving role of CFOs.

In his keynote address at the CFO Summit: Reflections and Aspirations summit, Absa Bank Tanzania CEO Obedi Laiser noted that “the only certainty in the current business environment is uncertainty”.

Ahmed boasts over 15 years of experience in the manufacturing industry, having joined LaFargeHolcim Tanzania in April 2020 as the chief financial officer.

NMB Bank CFO Juma Kimori joins the running for the first-ever CFO Awards for East Africa.

Lilian Budandi, IHS Towers finance director, considers herself a true East African. As a leader, she embodies unapologetic excellence and a clear sense of purpose.

MTN Uganda CFO Andrew Bugembe has nearly two decades of experience in the telecommunications sector in Africa, having led finance functions for MTN in Ghana, Congo and Liberia.

Until her appointment, Angela was the regional CFO of Guaranty Trust Bank.

Jackline Aluda joins the running for the 2025 CFO Awards for East Africa

Guaranty Trust Bank regional CFO Angela Koech is thrilled by the unpredictable. She has come to understand leadership as a journey in service of others and is keen to leave her mark on those she crosses paths with. As she steps into a new realm of leadership, she is excited for what comes next.