Tanzania

Prashant came from a village in Odisha, India where nobody in his family had a university degree. Today he leads the finance function of one of Tanzania's largest group of companies with operations in logistics and container glass bottle manufacturers.

What does it mean to lead with impact? For Deloitte Consulting Tanzania finance head Relief Mtenga, aBi Finance Uganda head of finance Sonia Adibaku, L’Oréal East Africa CFO Linda Mfuchi and Ishara Towers Rwanda CFO Lilian Budandi, the answer goes far beyond the balance sheet. Ahead of International Women’s Day, the four finance leaders from across the region reflect on what it truly means to make a difference.

With East Africa's creative economy suffering from fragmented intellectual property systems, finance leaders often face suppressed valuations and high risk premiums. Here is how the proposed regional EAC Creative Bill aims to standardise cross-border licensing and unlock measurable revenue streams for patient capital.

There comes a moment in every finance executive’s career when the numbers alone cannot reveal what to do. Mi Vida Homes CFO Solomon Nzomo, Pass Trust finance director Doreen Mangesho and fractional CFO Michael Kariuki talk about the decision that tested them most and what it taught them.

Chris Eyre believes the best CFOs join their teams on the ground to get their boots dirty. The Helium One CFO explains how he has turned his local expertise into a competitive advantage in Tanzania.

NMB Bank has become the latest corporate member of CFO East Africa, giving its senior finance leadership team year-round access to regional finance networks and professional development opportunities.

Seleman Issa looks back on his journey from a small Tanzanian town near Lake Victoria with quiet gratitude. His role as finance director at Frostan is the answer to a prayer he first said at the age of 14.

At the 2025 CFO Awards for East Africa, Dipen Patel was named Tanzania's CFO of the Year.

Throughout the year, CFO East Africa provided a platform for conversations that went beyond the balance sheet. CFOs grappled with questions about their evolving role and how to lead in an era of constant disruption.

2025 marked a milestone year for CFO East Africa as the community brought finance leaders across the region together for a series of events that redefined what it means to lead in uncertain times. It was a year of many firsts, with the inaugural CFO Awards, the launch of the Rwanda Chapter and the first virtual summit all underscoring the platform's growing impact.

Tanga Pharmaceuticals and Plastics (TPPL) CFO Surendra Tadikamalla is a firm believer in stepping out of one’s comfort zone and taking a risk. And this is partly how he creates trust in his team by supporting them through the discomfort of learning new things.

The search for East Africa's most outstanding finance leaders is on as nominations open for the 2026 CFO Awards for East Africa.

The CFO role in East Africa has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past two decades. Crystal Ventures CFO Theogene Maniragaba, DTB Tanzania CFO Deusdedith Mulindwa and Frostan group FD Seleman Issa reflect on how finance leadership has evolved.

Five leading organisations have signed up for corporate memberships with CFO East Africa, deepening their engagement with regional finance leaders and unlocking premium career development opportunities for their senior finance teams.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation finance director Dharmendra Agrawal believes people work best when they are happy. He likes to make sure his team feels supported, especially in tough times. In his experience, good energy at work leads to better results.

Nareshbabu Kaparouthu has spent 18 years shaping finance systems across India, Oman and East Africa. He now leads efforts to build sustainable systems that make clean water projects possible in Tanzania.

Although some argue that leadership is instinctive, many finance executives learn this skill through trial and error. ZEP-RE CFO Dr Rachael Gitonga, AGL Tanzania FD Sekou Kaba, NSSF Uganda CFO Stevens Mwanje and I&M Bank Tanzania head of finance Veronica Magongo reflect on the experiences that taught them how to lead.

Most CFOs treat risk as something to manage and measure, but for those who go on to build their own companies, it is far more personal. Bag Innovation CFO Akash Ladha, Umoja Coin CFO Bornmathew Nuru, and BasiGo CFO Jonathan Green explain what it means to carry both the financial and emotional weight of running a business.

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.

Although finance leaders are often judged by profit margins and cost control, many find that their most meaningful contributions happen beyond the numbers. For ICEA Lion Uganda CFO Philip Ahabwe, Kioo financial controller Dipen Patel and Lake Turkana Wind Power CFO Alice Wathika, the real indicators of success are less about financial performance and more about the human impact of their work.