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As AI takes on more analytical work, CFOs must rethink what makes their leadership valuable. Curiosity, critical thinking and sound judgement will become increasingly important in a workforce shared by people and AI agents.

From AI and coding to transformation and developing future finance leaders, CFOs shared their perspectives on how the accounting profession is evolving and what employers need to do to keep pace.

Simbarashe Mudzengi joins Webber Wentzel as CFO, bringing extensive financial leadership experience from Adcorp Holdings, Deloitte South Africa and EY.

iOCO CFO Ashona Kooblall and CEO Rhys Summerton have lifted profit after tax by 39%, expanded return on equity to 35% and strengthened cash generation. With recurring revenue above 60% and a disciplined approach to acquisitions, debt reduction and share buybacks, Kooblall is focused on sustainable growth and long-term shareholder value.

Retirement outcomes are built over decades, but the choices that shape them are often made by different people, in different institutions and at different points in an employee’s working life. New Old Mutual Corporate research gives CFOs a way to test whether the choices their organisations influence are turning employee-benefit spend into better retirement outcomes.

After 15 years at PwC, Dale Stonebridge made the move from professional services into banking, taking on the role of CFO for FirstRand’s Commercial and Corporate Bank in May 2026. He reflects on the career decisions, family values and lessons in leadership that have shaped him.

Following a significant turnaround, iOCO Technology Group’s finance leadership revealed the company’s new focus on deploying capital with discipline, accelerating growth through technology and strategic acquisitions while maintaining a high-performance culture at the 2026 Finance Indaba.

At the 2026 Finance Indaba, Mduduzi Dladla, CFO of Mbali Industrial Solutions EPC, challenged finance leaders to move beyond reporting historical performance and become strategic partners who shape decisions, protect liquidity and influence business outcomes.

Artificial intelligence is changing how professional services firms operate, from automating routine finance tasks to reshaping how junior professionals are trained. However, the technology also raises questions about data governance, accountability and the skills finance professionals will need to remain effective.

At the 2026 Finance Indaba, finance leaders sat down to discuss how organisations can design remuneration frameworks that reward performance and ensure that executive incentives support long-term value creation.

During the 2026 Finance Indaba attended by thousands of finance professionals, Teddy Mosomothane, chief executive and principal officer at Bankmed Medical Scheme, drew on the scheme’s 112-year history to explore how workplace healthcare partnerships can support finance professionals and their organisations.

At the Finance Indaba on 22 October 2026, finance leaders discussed flexible capital allocation in a panel titled Dynamic resource allocation: Why traditional annual budgeting is finally dead.

At the Finance Indaba that took place at the Sandton Convention Centre on 22 October 2026, Naeem Seedat, group executive of digital strategy and venturing at Telkom, explained why AI investments often fail when they are judged with tools built for traditional technology.

Finance professionals play an essential role across sectors. During a panel discussion, senior finance executives shared how people can explore non-linear career paths.

CFO South Africa brought finance leaders together over breakfast at Olives and Plates in Sandton for a morning of honest conversations, shared experiences and a few all-too-familiar workplace challenges.

In leveraging trusted organisational data and AI, finance teams can drive both commercial value and operational efficiency. During the 2026 Finance Indaba senior finance leaders provided valuable insights on how to use data and AI more efficiently.

Phetogo Mabaso, CFO and executive director at Swiss Re Corporate Solutions South Africa, has been nominated for the 2026 CFO Awards. She has more than 16 years of experience in the insurance and reinsurance industry.

Siphamandla Mthethwa will return to Airports Company South Africa as CEO on 1 November, three years after leaving the organisation where he previously served as CFO.

City of Cape Town CFO Kevin Jacoby outlined how leadership, data and changes to internal processes can help local government improve infrastructure execution while maintaining financial governance.

In a 2026 Finance Indaba session, panellists Dawid Swart, CFO of Afriwise, Drollah Ssebagala, deputy executive director: finance and operations at Uganda’s Joint Clinical Research Centre and Jimmy Thompson, executive head: VB FBP of sales and business operations at Vodacom discussed the importance of whole-person leadership and empathy.

AI is reshaping finance faster than many organisations can govern it. As AI becomes increasingly embedded in financial reporting, audit, risk and decision making, finance leaders need to understand not only what AI can do, but who remains accountable when things go wrong.

In a session at the 2026 Finance Indaba titled Compliance without constraints: Navigating the PFMA and MFMA while maintaining operational efficiency, top public sector finance leaders explained how finance chiefs can strengthen accountability while removing operational barriers to service delivery.

In a 2026 Finance Indaba session titled The zero-day close: Moving from retrospective reporting to real-time reality, Roger Knocker, CEO of FP&A and Shaveera John, CFO of Malander discussed how AI is beginning to challenge how those in finance gather information. This allows more time for interpretation and anticipating what comes next, ultimately enabling businesses to make better decisions.

Soul City Institute for Social Justice executives discussed mental wellbeing as an essential part of an organisation’s bottom line at the 2026 Finance Indaba.

Finance leaders at the 2026 Finance Indaba discussed the importance of empathy, transparent communication and practical support when businesses face difficult financial decisions.

In an insightful session at the 2026 Finance Indaba, Arno Daehnke, chief finance and value management officer at Standard Bank; Glenn Fullerton, former CFO at Nampak Limited and Nombulelo Khambule, partner, cyber strategy and transformation at Deloitte Africa, explained how a major cyber incident can halt core operations, strain liquidity, expose sensitive data and put staff safety and wellbeing at risk.

According to Victor Sekese, chairman at the Centre for Assurance Quality and Reporting, South Africa’s fight against corruption cannot be left to government, law enforcement or whistleblowers alone. He said finance professionals, with their influence over financial controls, audits, procurement and payments, have the opportunity and the responsibility to challenge wrongdoing before it becomes entrenched.

Finance leaders at the 2026 Finance Indaba were urged to move beyond annual ESG reporting by integrating sustainability data into financial systems, strengthening governance and improving forecasting as disclosure expectations evolve.

An insightful conversation at the 2026 Finance Indaba highlighted how universities are under growing pressure to prepare finance graduates for a workplace shaped by AI, digital transformation and changing employer expectations.

Sage Africa and Middle East managing director Jordaan Burger told attendees at the 2026 Finance Indaba that AI and automation can help finance teams accelerate reporting, identify risks earlier and provide strategic insights, provided organisations maintain trusted data and strong governance.

The 2026 Finance Indaba has brought together thousands of finance professionals at the Sandton Convention Centre for a day of networking, fresh perspectives and conversations about AI, technology and the future of the finance profession.

The 2026 Finance Indaba has kicked off in Johannesburg. SA’s top CFOs and finance leaders are gathering to connect, challenge conventions, and look beyond the bottom line.

The Capital Hotels, Apartments and Resorts CFO Dale Smith reflects on navigating the Covid-19 pandemic, his entrepreneurial career and his approach to building a nimble finance function that supports the group’s long-term growth.

Anchor Capital Group FD Omair Khan has secured a nomination for the 2026 CFO Awards. A Chartered Accountant (SA), he joined Anchor as group financial manager in 2014 and was appointed CFO in June 2016. He holds a BAcc degree from the University of the Witwatersrand.

Bilal Akoojeea has been appointed CFO of Mitsubishi Motors SA. A qualified chartered accountant, he previously served as finance director at 58Fleet and MotorHappy SA, following earlier roles at Deloitte and Lambat & Pochee.

Financial stress is affecting productivity, employee retention and business performance. YuLife SA co-founder and managing director Jaco Oosthuizen explains why CFOs should treat financial wellbeing as a business risk and how companies can better support employees.

PwC and FloQast join the Finance Indaba as Gold partners, bringing their expertise in professional services and accounting technology to an event connecting more than 4,500 finance professionals and industry leaders.

Bankmed has more than 100 years of experience in healthcare and offers medical scheme benefits, wellness resources and preventive care benefits.

Adinga provides ICT solutions in business intelligence, cloud accounting, ERP systems, and HR and payroll.

Yooz offers an AI-powered accounts payable solution featuring invoice capture, matching, approval workflows, ERP integration, reconciliation and fraud detection.

Kaelo provides healthcare solutions focused on the physical and psychological wellbeing of South Africans, with the goal of expanding access to quality healthcare.

Brendmo provides business solutions, with a focus on professional expertise, quality and keeping up to date with developments in the business environment and accounting profession.

Accuready specialises in financial reporting and annual financial statement preparation, combining more than 15 years of experience with technical expertise and automation.

The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) has joined the Finance Indaba as a Silver Partner.

Koketso Kekana has joined Microsoft South Africa as chief financial officer, bringing experience across retail finance, commercial strategy and revenue management.

Traditional financial planning and analysis metrics often prioritise forecast accuracy over adaptability. In a volatile business environment, agile FP&A teams need to be measured by how quickly they turn market changes into actionable insights, adapt to uncertainty and support strategic business decisions.

Nedbank CFO Mike Davis explores how technology, AI and data are reshaping the finance function and expanding the CFO’s role far beyond the numbers.

Dis-Chem Group CFO Julia Pope has been nominated for the 2026 CFO Awards. She joined the group in 2017 and was appointed CFO in July 2023.

Trade Shield joins Finance Indaba as a Gold partner, connecting with more than 3,000 finance professionals and industry leaders for a day of learning, networking and industry insights.

Can ESG drive bottom-line financial strategy? Nerissa Jalim thinks so. The Sandvik Mining Southern Africa regional CFO reveals how her MBA research is turning sustainability into a non-negotiable priority for finance leaders.

YuLife joins Finance Indaba as a Silver partner, connecting with more than 3,000 finance professionals and industry leaders at a day dedicated to learning, networking and industry insights.

Henley Business School joins Finance Indaba as a Silver partner, connecting with more than 3,000 finance professionals and industry leaders for a day of learning, networking and knowledge sharing.

ERA Group joins Finance Indaba as a Silver partner, bringing its expertise in procurement, finance and operations to an event connecting more than 3,000 finance professionals and industry leaders.

CloudSuite joins Finance Indaba as a Silver partner, connecting with more than 3,000 finance professionals and industry leaders at South Africa’s leading finance event.

Taufeeqa Waja has been appointed CFO of Retail and Business Banking at FNB, following almost two years as head of finance and more than a decade of experience in finance roles at Standard Bank and FirstRand.

JSE CFO Fawzia Suliman discusses the evolving role of the CFO, the importance of confidence and discipline, and why finance leaders must prepare themselves for what comes next.

At an exclusive CFO Dinner in Sandton, finance leaders unpacked why capital remains on the sidelines, the changing investment landscape and what business and government can do to unlock growth.

Dale Taylor, CFO and COO of Cosnova South Africa, has been nominated for the 2026 CFO Awards, recognising his more than 25 years of experience across finance, investment banking, private equity and operational leadership.

Deloitte joins the 2026 Finance Indaba as a Gold partner, bringing its expertise in strategy, operations, technology and human capital to an event that connects more than 3,000 finance professionals and industry leaders.

Tharisa Minerals CFO Michael Jones has been nominated for the 2026 CFO Awards, recognising his experience across financial management in the mining sector and investment banking.

Willie Scott will join Sail Mining Group as CFO and director from 1 October 2026, bringing extensive finance and mining experience to the role after serving as group CFO at CSG Holdings.

Nerissa Samuel, finance director for South Africa and Southern Africa at Gilead Sciences, believes the CFO role extends far beyond financial stewardship. From navigating complex healthcare environments and embracing AI to mentoring future finance leaders and supporting community initiatives, she sees finance as a platform to create sustainable value, strengthen governance and ultimately make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

AI is reshaping finance and accounting by automating repetitive work, amplifying human judgement and creating opportunities for professionals to become more strategic advisers. Alfred Ramosedi, the president at CIMA and co-chair of AICPA, explores how the profession can harness AI while managing its risks and responsibilities.

Sourceworx joins Finance Indaba as a Gold partner, bringing 17 years of experience helping African organisations navigate operational, regulatory and technology challenges.

Malander Advisory group chief financial officer and head of advisory Shaveera John has been nominated for the 2026 CFO Awards. A qualified chartered accountant, she has a background in finance, audit and accounting and has supported CFOs of large, listed and fast-growing clients.

Fawzia Suliman reflects on her journey across CFO, COO and CEO roles, the lessons that have shaped her leadership approach and how endurance sport, travel and time with family help her maintain perspective.

South Africa’s public sector has much to gain from AI, but outdated policies, data security concerns, limited resources and fear of unintended consequences are making officials wary of embracing the technology.

Dimago Data Analytics has joined the 2026 Finance Indaba Network as a Gold Partner. The company specialises in analytics, data science and process automation consultancy, working with software platforms to connect data, processes and people.

Charity Simamane has joined Moruo Life as chief financial officer, bringing experience from PPS and PwC to the insurance business.

After more than three decades in mining and 13 years as CFO of Sibanye-Stillwater, Charl Keyter has learnt that resilience is more than weathering downturns. It is about making disciplined decisions, embracing change and staying the course when others lose confidence. Drawing on lessons from endurance sport and one of the world's most cyclical industries, he explains why today's CFO must be both strategist and stabiliser.

Wiets Wiehahn, director of finance at the Studio 88 Group, has been nominated for the 2026 CFO Awards. He has held his current position since 2011 and previously worked at RMB Commodities and FirstRand Bank, where he completed his articles and qualified as a chartered accountant.

As artificial intelligence, automation and cloud technologies transform the finance function, today’s CFOs are expected to do far more than oversee the numbers. Joy Malete, regional finance director for Africa, Middle East and Asia Emerging at Sage, explains why finance leaders must balance innovation with governance, invest in strong data foundations and embrace technology as a strategic driver of resilience, insight and long-term business growth.

SimplePay has joined the 2026 Finance Indaba as a Silver partner, bringing its commitment to simplifying payroll and reducing administrative burdens to Africa’s largest gathering of finance professionals.

Ranen Thakurdin has been appointed group CFO designate of Old Mutual and OMLACSA, succeeding Casper Troskie as group chief financial officer, subject to regulatory approval.

Ayanda Kotobe has joined Aquazania as CFO, after previously serving as finance director at RS South Africa.

After leaving the traditional corporate finance path, Johan Beetge-Rossouw discovered a greater purpose at Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator. Today, the CFO is using finance not only to ensure sustainability, but to help create opportunities for millions of young South Africans by turning strategy, partnerships and financial discipline into lasting social impact.

Executive Day 2026 brought together South Africa’s leading finance, IT and HR executives to explore how organisations can navigate AI adoption, leadership challenges and accelerating change without losing sight of their people.

Cell C CFO El Kope says leaders must break transformation into practical steps, communicate consistently and remain close to their people to build trust and keep teams moving through change.

Inspired by a Martin Luther King Jr quote about excellence in every task, Water Utilities Corporation CFO Thabang Mogodi is focused on developing people, modernising finance and helping build institutions that can thrive long after individual leaders have moved on.

Waterfall Chartered Accountants Chambers has secured its Diamond tier place at Africa's biggest Finance conference and expo, marking a first-of-its-kind partnership that brings together independent accounting firms under shared governance, quality and transformation standards.

Dawid Swart has joined legal tech company Afriwise as CFO, bringing experience from senior finance roles across technology and professional services businesses.

Tightening AI policies can create the very risks they are designed to prevent, as employees turn to unapproved tools when approved options fall short. Dheren Singh argues that CFOs need fit-for-purpose AI, stronger controls and clear accountability rather than blanket restrictions.

Polmed CFO Marinus Pretorius has secured a nomination for the 2026 CFO Awards, recognising his leadership and contribution to the finance function.

Altron Document Solutions brings six decades of expertise in document management, automation and digitisation to the 2026 Finance Indaba as a Silver partner.

Amanda February reflects on her journey from joining Groot Constantia, South Africa’s oldest wine-producing estate, in 2007 to becoming CFO, and the importance of financial sustainability, responsible stewardship and people-centred leadership.

As deputy CEO and CFO of Octodec Investments, Riaan Erasmus is redefining what it means to be a modern finance leader. From shaping long-term strategy and transforming the company's property portfolio to embracing technology and developing future talent, he believes today's CFO must be far more than a custodian of the numbers.

Motlalepula Ratlhagane, financial director at Manitou South Africa since 2022, has been nominated for the 2026 CFO Awards, following finance leadership roles at Master Plastics, Astrapak and MultiChoice Africa.

Tevin Govender has taken on the role of regional CFO for South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa at Estée Lauder, following almost four years in finance leadership roles at Coca-Cola.

Leading international management consulting firm Oliver Wyman has joined the 2026 Finance Indaba as a Gold partner, bringing its expertise in business transformation, sustainability and climate action to South Africa’s leading finance community.

Bridgestone CFO Mikaeel Tayob challenged leaders to move beyond gender stereotypes, listen to employees’ needs and create workplaces where people can perform at their best.

As FD of Harmony Gold, Boipelo Lekubo believes finance is about far more than delivering numbers. From investing in people and balancing growth with shareholder returns to navigating ESG, AI and one of the world's most capital-intensive industries, she explains why today's finance leaders must create value that extends well beyond the balance sheet.

Seasoned business lead Nonkululeko Gobodo has called on women leaders to embrace their authentic selves, recognise their strengths and use their collective power to create opportunities for the next generation of women in business.

More than 250 women executives gathered in Sandton for the 11th Annual Executive Communities Women’s Dinner, where leaders reflected on authenticity, visibility and the importance of being fully present in the workplace.

The Office of the Tax Ombud (OTO) will join the Finance Indaba as a Gold partner, highlighting its role as an independent channel for taxpayers seeking redress outside of the South African Revenue Service's (Sars) complaint mechanisms.

Are the qualities often associated with women in leadership truly gendered, or simply human? Drawing on more than two decades of experience, this candid perspective explores the power of empathy, empowerment, cultural awareness and unexpected allies, and why women must learn to know their room, guard their energy and lead with their whole selves.

Ricardo Sardien has been appointed interim group chief executive officer at Old Mutual Botswana. He brings more than 16 years of experience across finance, operations, governance, risk management and strategic leadership to the role.

Away from billion-rand balance sheets and boardroom strategy, Old Mutual CFO Casper Troskie finds perspective at his home on a farm in Paarl, in the kitchen and on mountain bike trails. Those moments of calm, he says, have become essential to leading through an increasingly unpredictable world.

After stints at Deloitte and Standard Bank in Namibia, Pupkewitz Motors group CFO Peter Hiwilepo has built his career around using the tools he has – staying close to the work and making a difference where he is.

As Africa's ICT sector accelerates digital transformation, finance will play a pivotal role in ensuring that growth is matched by meaningful decarbonisation. Innovative funding models, strategic partnerships and renewable energy investments will be essential to unlocking a low-carbon future while expanding connectivity across the continent.

Leading financial software provider IDU will participate as a Silver partner at the 2026 Finance Indaba.

Former Discovery Health Medical Scheme CFO Joy Malete has been appointed regional finance director for Africa, the Middle East and Asia Pacific at Sage.

From working full-time while studying at night to supporting her family as a young adult and ultimately realising a childhood dream on her own terms, Nafisa Kistan's journey to becoming CFO of Kia South Africa is a testament to perseverance, adaptability and the belief that career success is built through resilience rather than a perfect plan.

Finance leaders gathered in Sandton as leading solution providers had just four minutes to showcase the ideas and technologies shaping the future of finance, from AI-powered automation to tokenisation and treasury innovation.

Tokenisation is rapidly moving from concept to reality, with South Africa helping to write the playbook for its development. According to Ninety One's head of corporates, Quaniet Richards, finance leaders who embrace the technology early could unlock faster settlements, stronger liquidity management and entirely new investment opportunities.

Polani Sokombela, CFO of the Auditor-General of South Africa, has been nominated for the 2026 CFO Awards in recognition of his leadership and longstanding contribution to the organisation. Having built his career at AGSA over nearly two decades, he has played a key role in strengthening the institution's financial stewardship and strategic direction.

As artificial intelligence transforms manufacturing, the greatest competitive advantage will not come from technology itself, but from finance leaders who know how to harness it.

Experienced finance executive Aneshree Naidoo has joined Bowmans as group CFO, bringing more than two decades of leadership experience across professional services, consulting and technology.

After achieving her long-held ambition of becoming an audit partner, Jennifer Erasmus made the unexpected decision to leave the profession and chart a new course. Now, as CFO of Trellidor, she reflects on the career pivot that reshaped her ambitions, the realities of balancing leadership with motherhood and the legacy she hopes to build through people, process improvement and purposeful leadership.

Decision Inc. group CFO Joanne Tanner has been nominated for the 2026 CFO Awards in recognition of her leadership and contribution to the finance profession. She joins a distinguished group of finance executives who will be celebrated at the awards gala on 26 November.

HRTorQue Outsourcing and Sail International have joined the 2026 Finance Indaba as Silver Partners, bringing their expertise in HR, payroll, tax and commercial advisory to Africa's leading finance event. Meet their teams alongside more than 3,000 finance professionals for a day of practical insights, networking and innovative solutions shaping the future of finance.

Soul City CFO Dumisani Dlamini believes corporate social investment should be measured by lasting social impact, not just money spent. Drawing on first-hand experiences from communities across South Africa, he explains why CFOs must look beyond the balance sheet and treat CSI as a strategic investment in sustainable change.

The National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) has appointed seasoned finance executive Maureen Manyama as chief financial officer, bringing more than 25 years of leadership experience across state-owned entities, financial services and higher education.

The Botswana Gambling Authority has appointed Tshepang Magang as chief financial officer, elevating an experienced finance leader with more than 15 years of expertise in financial management, governance, risk and regulatory compliance.

From growing up in a Limpopo village to leading finance at the CCMA, Kedibone Mashaakgomo's journey has been defined by perseverance, purpose and a commitment to creating lasting impact. She reflects on overcoming academic setbacks, embracing digital transformation, mentoring future leaders and why true leadership is measured not by titles, but by the legacy left behind.

Zodwa Mbele, CFO and executive director at the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), has been nominated for the 2026 CFO Awards in recognition of her leadership and contribution to South Africa’s finance profession.