This month, our main interview is with Oyinda Akanbi FCCA, CFO of Synlab Nigeria, a subsidiary of the international medical diagnostics group headquartered in Germany. Joining the company in 2021, she found a finance department in disarray. She has since overseen the introduction of ERP and, leaning on her experience as a business partner, positioned the department to maintain impressive double-digit growth – no small feat given the country’s current economic crisis.
In Ethiopia, finance professionals have given a cautious welcome to the long-awaited launch of a new securities exchange, part of a wider series of reforms aimed at attracting greater foreign investment and new funding streams. Following the inaugural listing of Ethio Telecom, a number of financial institutions and other state-owned enterprises are expected to join the ESX in coming weeks, although experts believe it may be some time before private businesses are ready to follow suit.
Meanwhile, as Donald Trump heads for the White House, our columnist Okey Umeano FCCA, considers what a second Trump term might mean for businesses in Africa and how the continent might respond.
As parts of the world enjoy the festive season, our careers section this month has a piece on avoiding post-holiday blues, with advice on how to minimise the negative effects and reset yourself for the work routine. And if you’re looking for a new direction in 2025, read our article about why ACCA members make good non-executive directors.
Finally, if you’re after some lighter reading, check out our special edition. From money museums and micro-gain strategies to the most profitable Marvel superhero, find out something new.
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