Strategy

CFO and executive coach Jay Atara outlines the vital transition from a numbers-focused finance director to an influential strategic partner. Drawing on deep industry experience and the rise of AI, he delivers a roadmap for finance leaders ready to step off their technical island and lead with commercial foresight.

Every finance leader eventually comes face to face with the need for automation. The harder question is which change actually earns a permanent place once the systems are in and the old habits are gone. CRDB Bank CFO Fredrick Nshekanabo, Heritage Insurance GM finance and administration Luke Magambo, and Vodacom Tanzania finance director Hilda Bujiku share the one process they automated that changed their work for good.

Green finance is no longer simply a compliance exercise. KCB CFO Lawrence Kimathi shares the process behind securing a $96.9 million climate fund.

Energy waste is the only line item on your P&L that you pay for every second, yet rarely audit with the same rigor as payroll or procurement.

While delivering the partner address at the CFO East Africa Leadership Summit, Stanbic Bank Kenya acting CEO Abraham Ongenge drew on lessons from his own career transitions to make the case for a new kind of leadership built on co-creation and humility.

Amid the geopolitical firestorm in the Middle East, are investors being complacent or just savvy? Read on to learn about resilient, long-term investing.

Our outlook on risk assets remains broadly positive heading into the year. But we are watching four key risk factors that every investor in this environment should have firmly on their radar.

Finance leaders are watching closely as technological disruption and other changes redefine how organisations operate across the region. Weetabix East Africa CFO Dr Sebastian Nthama, Tropical Bank CFO Aminah Galenda and PharmAccess director of finance Charles Gachuhi reveal the shifts they believe will shape the future of business in East Africa.

Standard Chartered head of wealth products for Kenya and East Africa Ouma Orero shares insights on how CFOs can structure cross-border wealth in an era of global volatility.

EABL’s first tranche under its KSh 20 billion medium-term note programme was oversubscribed, raising KSh 16.7 billion against a target of KSh 11 billion.

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.

Jubilee Holdings posted a 22 percent rise in net profit for the first half of 2025, supported by strong insurance revenue growth and higher investment income.

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.

MTN Uganda recently announced strong half-year results with data revenue up 31 percent and fintech up 19 percent, despite a one-off tax settlement that reduced profit after tax by 9.7 percent.

Absa Kenya announced its half-year 2025 results, reporting a nine percent rise in profit after tax to KSh 11.7 billion despite a drop in revenue. CFO Yusuf Omari highlighted how strategic repositioning is preparing the bank for a rebound in lending.

Stanbic Bank posted a Ksh 6.5 billion profit after tax for the first half of 2025, a nine percent year-on-year decline amid lower interest income and low FX activity. Chief finance and value officer Dennis Musau aims to lift performance in the second half by increasing lending volumes and using recent investments to generate higher returns.

Absa Bank Kenya released its 2024 sustainability and climate report, combining climate and sustainability disclosures into a single framework ahead of regulatory timelines. Finance director Yusuf Omari explained that the move positions ESG metrics alongside financial data to guide capital allocation and risk management.

EABL has announced a Ksh12.2 billion full-year profit after tax, marking a 12 percent increase from the previous year. Group CFO Risper Genga Ohaga speaks to CFO East Africa about the strategies at play.

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.

In recent years, the role of chief financial officer (CFO) has experienced significant transformation.