Rwanda

BK Group finance head Ange Ntiranyibagirwa retired his national soccer league jersey to build a high-flying career that spans banking, telecommunications, FMCG and infrastructure. He now leads finance at Rwanda’s largest financial services conglomerate while keeping his passion for the game alive.

Randa Rugangazi has played a central role in shaping growth at Irembo, where he steers a youthful team through complex strategy with a leadership style grounded in clarity and consistency.

Bank of Kigali Group reported an 8.6 percent rise in net profit for the first half of 2025, driven by effective cost management across BK Group and lower funding costs. Head of finance Ange Ntiranyibagirwa says the focus now shifts to sustaining momentum through tighter execution and continued balance sheet strength.

In July 2025, East African CFOs gathered in Nairobi for the CFO East Africa ESG Summit, which drew over 160 CFOs from across four East African countries. As the speakers made their presentations and CFOs shared their experiences in the break-out sessions, it was clear that ESG is no longer just a buzzword but a reality in the daily lives of many CFOs.

Most companies keep their attention on familiar threats such as regulatory changes or the pressures of competition. But the real dangers often emerge from weaknesses that remain unaddressed. Jubilee Insurance Tanzania CFO Nickson Motta, Rwanda Fertiliser Company CFO Patrick Marara, and Bank of Kigali group head of finance Ntiranyibagirwa Ange reveal the blind spots that can threaten even the strongest organisations.

Bag Innovation CFO Akash Ladha left behind a career in India to carve out his own path in Rwanda. He blends an understanding of systems with a mindful approach that helps his team make better decisions.

Parfait will steer BRD’s financial strategy as the bank fulfils its mandate of financing Rwanda’s development priorities.

Across many organisations, the chief financial officer is still viewed through a narrow lens. Jubilee Insurance Tanzania CFO Nickson Motta and Tres Rwanda CFO Gordon Mugabi dispel common misconceptions about the role and explore how it has changed.

At least once in a lifetime, leaders encounter lessons that shift how they lead. PostBank Uganda CFO Peter Ssenyange, Vodacom Tanzania FD Hilda Bujiku, and Silverback Tea CFO Rahul Bedi reflect on the moments that forced them to rethink what it means to be a leader.

Titus has served as the CFO of Ecobank Rwanda since April 2011.

Until May 2025, Toussaint served as the chief finance and administration officer at Rwanda’s National Cyber Security Authority.

Akash Ladha, CFO of BAG Innovation and founder of ALSM Consulting Group, is reshaping his approach to leadership by prioritising clarity over chaos. He considers mindfulness the only way to lead with purpose in a world that rarely slows down.

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.

Even for accomplished finance leaders, the desire to explore new disciplines never fades. For PowerUp head of finance Eva Zalwango, CRDB Bank CFO Frederick Nshekanabo, and IHS Towers FD Lilian Budandi, the skills they long to learn reflect personal interests they have carried quietly for years.

Bank of Kigali CFO Anita Umuhire has been nominated for the 2025 CFO Awards

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.

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

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.

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