Rwanda

The most powerful lessons often come at moments of change. Bank of Kigali CFO Anita Umuhire, I&M Bank Rwanda CFO Dederi Wimana and PASS Trust FD Doreen Mangesho look back on the turning points that took their journeys in a different direction.

After serving as Rwanda’s accountant general, Patrick Marara Shyaka found that crossing into the private sector came with unexpected challenges. The CFO of Rwanda Fertiliser Company reflects on the changes he had to make and the routines that keep him grounded.

Dunstan Stober’s journey as a writer began after his grandmother opened him up to the world of books. He now writes his own books and essays as a way to reflect on his life and share the resulting lessons.

During the first-ever CFO East Africa Virtual Summit, titled CFO Ideas Worth Sharing, a breakout session on strategy brought together more than 50 finance executives. The conversation revealed that CFOs across East Africa are stepping into broader leadership roles.

East Africa’s financial leaders are navigating a world where their roles are no longer confined to the balance sheet. Nearly 200 of the region’s finance leaders gathered for CFO East Africa’s first-ever virtual summit titled CFO Ideas Worth Sharing.

Hundreds of leading CFOs from Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda gathered online for CFO East Africa’s first Virtual Summit, titled CFO Ideas Worth Sharing.

CFO East Africa’s first-ever virtual summit titled CFO Ideas Worth Sharing convened nearly 200 of the region’s finance leaders for a powerful session that tackled topics that remain top-of-mind for CFOs. Over three hours, a series of speakers shared insights that touched on the realities of financial leadership today.

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.