2026 Nominees

Finance executives who have shown exemplary skills, vision and results can be nominated for the CFO Awards in East Africa. Nominations are submitted by the panel of judges, business leaders, colleagues, finance teams and partners. A shortlist is prepared by the experts of CFO East Africa under the supervision of the panel of judges.

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Categories CFO East Africa Awards

1. Country CFO of the Year Awards i.e. Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda

The CFO of the Year has shown financial leadership and outstanding performance over a number of years. He or she is very involved with the strategy of the company and is a true business partner. The CFO of the Year has been the driving force behind growth and profitability and strives for excellence in all aspects of the financial profession. The CFO of the Year is leading by example and has outperformed all others based on Skills, Attitude and Results.

2. Public Impact CFO of the Year

The Public Impact CFO of the Year Award acknowledges outstanding financial management by recognising innovative programmes and contributions to government or NGO finance. The Public Impact CFO of the Year emphasises practical, well-documented work that demonstrates leadership and promotes ethical practices and improved public finance.

3. Young CFO of the Year

The winner of the Young CFO of the Year Award has shown remarkable professional development and has been of great value for the board. Aged up to and including 40, this CFO has moved up through the ranks. He or she is praised for leadership, work ethics and for taking responsibility at the moments of truth.

4. Strategy Execution Award

The winner of the Strategy Execution Award has dealt with serious and intense changes in the business environment. Nevertheless, by responding timely and agile, the business successfully adapted to the new demands and challenges. The new business strategy has been implemented successfully. The CFO who wins this award has shown great steermanship in creating the right (financial) conditions to execute the new strategy. The CFO and his team contributed with valuable insights, analyses, the (re)allocation of assets and the alignment of the finance function with the new strategy. Moreover, the CFO has managed to keep the business financially healthy while staying agile and competitive.

5. High Performance Team Award

Outstanding financial talent management and teamwork. That is the requirement to win this Award. The winner has demonstrated his capabilities to build a high performing financial team that is both efficient and customer focussed. Based on a clear vision, this CFO has invested in talent development to align future needs with the available skills set. The winner of the Award is an inspiring coach for his co-workers and gives attention to personal and professional development of his employees.

6. Compliance & Governance Award

The Compliance and Governance Award goes to the CFO who is a champion in helping the business achieve its goals in a way that is open, honest, ethical and principled. Working in a globalised and complex business environment, he or she faces a complex assortment of new and sometimes challenging laws and regulations. The winner of the award has contributed heavily to build and implement systems designed to detect and prevent compliance breaches. Last but not least he or she is leading the development of a strong compliance culture and best practices that secure buy-in from executives, managers, employees, contractors and business partners all at levels.

7. Finance Transformation Award

The winner of the Finance Transformation Award has shown great improvement in the way the finance function operates to meet future challenges. The CFO who wins this Award has been very successful in redefining the financial function and made great efforts to become a cost-effective, service-oriented partner to the business. He or she showed courage to radically rethink the way finance works and operates. During this process, the CFO has met key stakeholder requirements and considered the better practices and lessons of others. The winner of the Finance Transformation Award has worked hard to realign all aspects of the operating model - process, organisation, people and technology – to become a finance master. The winner is respected for his or her efforts to stimulate a culture for added value, excellence and continuous improvement within Finance.

8. Finance & ESG Award

The ESG and Finance Award recognises CFOs who integrate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into their organisation’s financial strategies. This award honours CFOs who champion sustainable business practices, enhance corporate responsibility, and drive sustainable value through ethical and transparent financial management. Winners in this category demonstrate innovative approaches to balancing profitability with positive social and environmental impact, setting a benchmark for responsible financial leadership.

9. Finance & Technology Award

Technology offers us an almost unlimited range of opportunities to improve our business models, processes and overall value proposition. The winner of this Award has invested in and unlocked technologies that had the power to transform the business and create new value. The winner has played a crucial role in crafting and executing a successful business-aligned IT strategy to provide businesses with value delivery. Based on a clear vision and plan, this CFO has strongly supported and financially enabled the implementation of systems with a proven impact on the quality, efficiency and effectivity of the organisation. The winner is a steward for technology driven change and develops and shares his or her knowledge and know-how of technology.

10. Beyond Finance Award

This award honours CFOs who have achieved remarkable accomplishments outside their professional roles – be it earning a significant academic qualification, completing an international marathon winning a golf tournament, serving in an institution, leading charitable initiatives, publishing a book, or excelling in the arts or sports. In a world that often stereotypes finance professionals as rigid or one-dimensional, this award seeks to showcase CFOs as vibrant, multifaceted individuals who bring passion, purpose, and drive to all areas of life. By celebrating these well-rounded leaders, the award highlights the dynamic role finance professionals play not only in business, but in society at large.

11. Top Woman in Finance in East Africa Award

2025 Nominees