Leadership

In the past, CFOs were seen as financial gatekeepers who managed an organisation’s costs and risks. Today, finance leaders are expected to drive strategy, innovation, and growth. American Tower Company CEO George Odenyo, MAT Abacus Business School principal Professor Samuel Sejjaaka, and Strathmore University senior lecturer Professor James McFie weigh in on how finance executives can drive value and shape the future of their companies.

Traditionally, CFOs have relied on historical data and forecasting methods in creating strategy. But as panelists at the CFO Kick-off summit noted, changes in consumer habits and the global economy have placed heavier demands on finance executives.

As the world prepares to mark International Women’s Day on 8 March, finance leaders pause to reflect on the strides women have made in the profession. Ahead of the day, Lake Turkana Wind Power CFO Alice Wathika, Liquid Intelligent Technologies CFO Shime Baligira, and FINCA Uganda CFO Robinah Siima share their perspectives on how far the sector has come and what remains to be done.

Culture is the silent force behind any successful organisation. While the CFO role is often assumed to have little to do with influencing organisational culture, finance leaders are at the core of shaping a company's culture, writes Jackline Aluda, CFO of Cold Solutions. 

EABL group CFO Risper Genga Ohaga and ICEA Lion General Insurance CFO Zipporah Mungai Chege recently participated in a multistakeholder committee to develop a roadmap for the adoption of the IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards in Kenya.

At the 2024 CFO East Africa Year-End Summit, Bayport Tanzania CFO Rehema Sanare, acting MTN Rwanda CFO Dunstan Stober, Rocket Health Uganda CFO Fiona Nuwamanya, and Mitchell Cotts Kenya finance and strategy director Michael Nzule shared their highs and lows for the year and discussed the opportunities and risks of digital disruption

For dfcu Bank CFO and executive director Kate Kabaingi Kiiza, success isn’t just about the numbers — it’s about the people. She offers a glimpse into the qualities and experiences that have made her one of the region's celebrated finance leaders.

Tanzania’s NMB Bank recently partnered with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Mastercard to launch the 'Banking on Women Advisory Project', which aims to enhance its Jasiri Proposition to attract, retain, and grow women-led businesses in Tanzania. Under the Jasiri Proposition, NMB issued the first social bond, whose proceeds have financed more than 3,000 women. CFO East Africa caught up with NMB Bank CFO Juma Kimori, who spoke in detail about how the bank is expanding its initiatives to empower women-led businesses in Tanzania.

If Dr Rachael Gitonga were not the CFO of ZEP-RE (PTA Reinsurance Company), she would run a cafe with a bookshop inside it. She would spend her days running and working out at the gym in the morning, swimming in the afternoon, and taking walks in the evening. That is how much she loves working out.

Oracle finance director for Sub Saharan and South Africa Dorothy Sagwe, MTN Rwanda CFO Dunstan Stober, Zep Re CFO Dr Rachael Gitonga, and Dolphin Professional Services CFO Noel Ngonyani offer insights into the challenges and opportunities they have encountered in aligning financial strategy with sustainability goals, highlighting how CFOs can adopt environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles for long-term profitability.

Safaricom CFO Dilip Pal delves into the company’s strategies for managing foreign exchange risks, diversifying revenue, balancing major investments, and delivering customer value.

The UAP Tanzania CEO, who recently transitioned from CFO, urges upcoming finance leaders to expand the scope of their responsibility and discharge their role with the future of the business in mind. He shuns the notion of the CFO as purely a finance professional, urging CFOs to play a key role in shaping and driving business strategy.

When Dennis Musau, chief finance and value officer at Stanbic Bank, took up the position in 2022, the organisation had already expanded the role, elevating the CFO from chief accounting officer to the CEO’s thinking partner. At the recent CFO East Africa Summit in Nairobi, Dennis offered his insights on transitioning the role of the CFO to include a value management perspective.

At the recent CFO East Africa Uganda launch, EABL group CFO Risper Genga Ohaga participated in a panel discussion where she offered her insights on the balance between technical skill and adaptability, encouraging CFOs to take more risks to catalyse the growth of their organisations.

While attending his 5th CFO East Africa summit in Nairobi in August 2024, Bobmil Industries Limited group CFO Juzer Adamjee reflected on the changing role of the CFO. He encouraged upcoming CFOs to develop their skills beyond traditional accounting to prepare themselves for the more demanding strategic roles.

In his remarks at the CFO of the Future summit held in Nairobi in August, MTN Uganda CFO Andrew Bugembe shared insights on risk management amid the increasing adoption and reliance on artificial intelligence (AI).

Philip ole Kamwaro considers his life a testament to the African proverb “it takes a village to raise a child". He charts his storied journey from “a simple Maasai boy from a village in Narok” to director of corporate services at KMPDC.

A surprising thing about Winnie Waweru, FD at Mastercard Foundation , is her passion for cars, especially Mercedes-Benz. She’s even visited the Daimler-Benz factory in Germany to witness car manufacturing firsthand. Her friends are often amazed at how she can easily explain mechanical problems.

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho was a life-changing book for Ronald Businge, CFO at American Tower Uganda. Its themes of pursuing one’s dreams and the importance of the journey resonated deeply with him, inspiring him to take bold steps in his career and personal life on the road to success.

Alex Tito Mwangi is a seasoned finance professional with over two decades of experience in financial management and administration. Currently serving as the group finance and admin manager and director at HighChem Group,