The Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda Institute of Banking and Financial Services (UIBFS), Mrs. Goretti Masadde, has been named among Africa’s 100 Most Influential Women for 2025, a continental recognition of her trailblazing leadership and transformative impact on Uganda’s financial sector.
Mrs. Masadde, who made history as the first female CEO of UIBFS, was honored for redefining institutional leadership through innovation, inclusion, and purpose.
Her recognition comes under The African Women Awards organized annually by The Business Executive magazine in Ghana, which celebrates women whose achievements are shaping Africa’s growth and transformation.
“She earns herself this prestigious award for being recognized as a visionary leader at UIBFS where she is the first female CEO. While in office, she has redefined leadership through innovation, inclusion, and purpose,” the announcement read.
A pioneer in multiple fields, Mrs. Masadde’s career has been marked by a series of firsts.
She was Uganda’s first female brewer and also the first woman to serve as President of the Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU), setting a precedent that inspired three more female presidents to follow in her footsteps.
Her tenure at UIBFS has been defined by bold reforms and resilience. When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted traditional learning, she led the Institute in embracing digital transformation through pioneering e-learning solutions that earned national recognition from the National Council for Higher Education.
Under her leadership, the Institute also undertook a comprehensive organizational restructuring and rebranding drive that revitalized its identity, improved productivity, and strengthened visibility positioning UIBFS as the leading professional training hub for Uganda’s banking and financial services sector.
Beyond institutional transformation, Mrs. Masadde has championed sustainability and environmental stewardship within financial education.
She spearheaded the integration of green and climate finance into banking curricula through the recently launched Green Finance Curriculum, developed in partnership with aBi Finance, alongside ESG-focused training programs.
Her commitment to climate-conscious leadership earned her the Inaugural Danish Embassy Green Excellence Award in 2024 for outstanding contribution to sustainable finance education.
Another of her hallmark initiatives is the Banking and Financial Services Awareness Month (BAFSAM) — a national campaign now in its sixth season.
The program unites key players across Uganda’s financial ecosystem to advance financial literacy and inclusion.
“This nationwide, cross-sector campaign brings together key players from Uganda’s financial ecosystem to promote financial literacy and inclusion—reflecting her belief that collaboration across sectors creates lasting impact in the communities served,” the release stated.
This year’s recognition highlights not only Mrs. Masadde’s contributions to UIBFS but also her broader influence on Uganda’s economy and leadership landscape.
“This year, Mrs. Masadde is being honored for her outstanding contributions to Uganda’s economy and her transformative leadership as CEO of UIBFS—proudly bringing this prestigious recognition home,” the award citation concluded
