Kenya

Stephen has over 20 years of experience in financial management, regulatory reporting, and strategic leadership across banking and professional services across more than 10 African countries.

He boasts over 26 years of teaching experience and more than 17 years in administrative roles at the management level.

Beiersdorf finance director Funlola Pearce draws on a foundation in electrical engineering. She shares some insights on how non-linear careers can be a powerful force for innovation in finance.

CFOs are moving beyond compliance and reporting to shape business decisions and long-term growth. Jubilee Insurance group head of finance Paul Mungai and Umoja Coin CFO Bornmathew Nuru share how they are placing finance at the centre of strategy.

At the 2025 CFO East Africa ESG Summit held on 10 July, the theme of financing cut across all discussions. While ESG frameworks continue to evolve, the actual flow of capital tells a more complicated story where large firms edge ahead and smaller players risk being left behind.

Newly-appointed Old Mutual Life CFO John Omondi brings over 14 years of experience in the industry, including more than a decade in senior finance roles.

The second annual CFO ESG Summit saw finance leaders from across East Africa come together at the Emara Ole Sereni in Nairobi to explore the CFO’s role in ESG. Against the backdrop of a changing finance function, they discussed the sustainability imperative, sharing common points of concern.

Martin has more than 17 years of experience across different markets in Africa including Kenya and South Africa.

John Githiomi, group CFO of Rubis Energy Kenya, also serves as a board director.

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.

Stanbic Bank Kenya CFVO Dennis Musau has joined the list of finance leaders who will be competing in the 2025 “Oscars of Finance”.

Ratnakar has also served in senior IT roles, leading major ERP implementations and establishing IT as a profit centre.

As the CFO role continues to evolve, continuous learning has become increasingly essential to leadership. Beiersdorf FD Funlola Pearce, Irembo head of finance Randa Rugangazi, and BasiGo CFO Jonathan Green reveal the podcasts that challenge how they think and lead.

Each CFO East Africa summit presents perspectives that either affirm or challenge the status-quo that defines the CFO’s role. The CFO Kick-off Summit held on 6 March in Nairobi offered insights around CFOs as a beacon of hope. The pertinent question that follows is: can a CFO give hope without earning stakeholders’ trust and confidence, and how can this trust be earned?

Safaricom CFO Dilip Pal joins the first cohort of nominees in the running for the inaugural ‘Oscars of Finance’.

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.

AAR group CFO Hosea Kiprop is the 17th finance leader to enter the race for the first-ever CFO Awards for East Africa.

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.

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.

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