Interviews

PSI Uganda’s head of finance and support services Christine Nakayenga began her tenure by taking on a task most finance leaders would outsource. That same initiative now defines her approach to leadership at the non-profit, which she is steering toward long-term sustainability.

Africa Healthcare Network CFO Michael Kariuki is a master of turning strategy into a compelling financial narrative. He shares how his clarity and conviction have helped him guide startups through periods of transformation.

PowerUp head of finance and operations Eva Zalwango brings systems thinking to every challenge. But behind the discipline is a deeper drive to leave people better than she found them.

When Philip Ahabwe joined ICEA Lion Life Assurance Uganda as CFO, he had never led a department, and the finance function was still taking shape. But through a clear focus on mentoring others, he has built a team defined by growth and resilience.

Hewatele CFO Joan Andia has seen the entire gamut of leadership, from nurturing superiors who invest in the growth of their team members to managers who focus only on output. As the CFO of Hewatele, she is intentional about leading her team with empathy.

CFO Joseph Masaku is not one to back down from a challenge. At Habib Bank AG Zurich, he is driving transformation with empathy and a grounded leadership philosophy.

Mantrac Tanzania finance director Sudhir Khanna has spent over four decades building resilient finance teams across India and Africa, always leaving them stronger than he found them. He believes the future of finance will be shaped by technology and 'doing business the right way'.

Aerolink Uganda head of finance Dorothy Kiprono’s journey exemplifies the power of adaptability. As a woman in a male-dominated industry, she is embracing every twist in her career with curiosity, while redefining what leadership looks like.

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.

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.

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.

For Knight Frank Uganda head of finance Asibat Mwambu, it is always about results. The driven executive blends his deep sense of responsibility to his stakeholders with concern for the world outside the business, encouraging his peers to pursue their passion.

In October 2023, Funlola Pearce packed up her apartment into a container in preparation for her move to Kenya. During this busy time, she stopped exercising, caught up in the whirlwind of planning her relocation.

Dr Michael Lugemwa, who is the finance and operations director at Deposit Protection Fund (DPF) Uganda, does not seek the spotlight. But his steady resolve and leadership have made a clear impact at the fund.

Dorothy ‘Dolly’ Sagwe, Oracle Africa’s finance director, has come to be known as the ‘start up finance manager’, helping three Fortune 500 companies establish a presence and operations in Kenya over the past 25 years. But her personal story reveals a search for meaning beyond the trappings of corporate life.

In December 1995, while most of the world revelled in the festive season, Ashif Kassam had his head buried in every piece of literature he could find about general insurance. The firm where he worked as an audit manager, Samvir & Co, had received an opportunity to audit an insurance company, the first one in their portfolio, and Ashif accepted the challenge to lead this engagement.

In Kenya's dynamic landscape of asset financing, Watu Credit has emerged as a key player. At the helm of its financial strategy is Steve Onyango, head of finance, whose leadership is helping drive the adoption of e-mobility in the region.

Access to Finance Rwanda (AFR) finance head Innocent Gatete’s career path is anything but conventional. Today, he is keen to channel his expertise towards changing lives and leaving a legacy of positive transformation.

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.

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.