Uganda’s financial training sector has gained continental spotlight after Goretti Masadde, Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda Institute of Banking and Financial Services (UIBFS), was named among Africa’s 100 Most Influential Women 2025.
The recognition, awarded by The African Women Awards under The Business Executive Magazine of Ghana, honours African female leaders whose work continues to shape industry, policy, education and economic transformation.
Masadde’s recognition stems largely from her work at UIBFS, where she serves as the first woman to hold the position of CEO. Her tenure is marked by institutional reform, sector repositioning and long term strategy shifts that have redefined how financial training is delivered in Uganda.
The awards committee credited her with changing the leadership narrative at the institute, spotlighting her influence in pushing innovation, inclusion and organisational growth beyond traditional boundaries.
When COVID-19 disrupted in-person training, UIBFS was among the institutions that transitioned early into digital learning, a shift led under Masadde’s direction. The institute’s adoption of e-learning systems was later acknowledged by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) as a model response in the education sector.
At the same time, she oversaw a complete institutional rebrand and restructuring, reinforcing UIBFS as a national reference point for professional training in financial services.
Her influence extended into sustainable finance, where she led the development of the Green Finance Curriculum, implemented in partnership with aBi Finance, alongside expanding training in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles.
Her credentials in climate conscious leadership were further cemented when she received the Danish Embassy Green Excellence Award in 2024.
Masadde is also the founder of Banking and Financial Services Awareness Month (BAFSAM), now in its sixth year. The initiative brings together banks, regulators, educators and financial sector players in efforts to strengthen public financial knowledge and inclusion.