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, earning continental recognition for 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 her visionary leadership in driving innovation, inclusion, and purpose within the banking and financial training ecosystem.
The 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 trailblazer in multiple sectors, Mrs. Masadde’s career is marked by a series of firsts. She became Uganda’s first female brewer and later the first woman to serve as President of the Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU) — a legacy that inspired three subsequent female presidents to follow in her footsteps.
At UIBFS, her tenure has been defined by bold reforms, resilience, and digital transformation. When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted traditional learning, she led the Institute to adopt innovative e-learning solutions, earning national recognition from the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE).
Under her leadership, the Institute embarked on a comprehensive restructuring and rebranding program, revitalizing its identity, improving productivity, and strengthening its position as Uganda’s leading professional training hub for the banking and financial services sector.
Beyond institutional transformation, Mrs. Masadde has been a strong advocate for sustainability and environmental stewardship in financial education. She spearheaded the integration of green and climate finance into the banking curriculum through the Green Finance Curriculum, developed in partnership with aBi Finance, along with ESG-focused training initiatives.
Her dedication to sustainable finance earned her the Inaugural Danish Embassy Green Excellence Award in 2024, recognizing her outstanding contribution to climate-conscious leadership in education.
Among her notable initiatives is the Banking and Financial Services Awareness Month (BAFSAM) — now in its sixth season — a nationwide campaign uniting key financial sector players 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 organizers noted.
This year’s recognition underscores not only Mrs. Masadde’s achievements at UIBFS but also her broader influence on Uganda’s economy and leadership landscape.
“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
