Sawaneh, now the Dubai-based Group CFO and COO of Arise Ports & Logistics, was honoured the “Winner- Corporate CFO Award" and "ACCA CFO of the Year Award" at the ACCA Africa Members Convention 2025 in Kenya. The recognition highlights not just individual excellence, but the growing sophistication of corporate governance driving Africa's infrastructure boom.
The awards, presented by ACCA Global President Melanie Proffitt, acknowledge Sawaneh’s stewardship at ARISE, a critical player in logistics across Gabon, Côte d’Ivoire, and beyond. But in his acceptance speech, Sawaneh side-stepped the technicalities of balance sheets to address a starker reality: the accessibility of education in emerging markets.
"This award is a reminder that talent can come from anywhere," Sawaneh told the audience. "With the right support, opportunities, and mindset, a child from a small village can stand on a big stage."
The Alternative Route Sawaneh’s trajectory offers a case study in how professional certifications can democratize success in the Global South. After financial constraints ended his initial university ambitions in The Gambia, he utilized the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) program to bypass traditional barriers. This allowed him to gain credentials ranging from technician status to an MBA without the prohibitive costs of traveling abroad.
It is a background that differentiates him from many of his peers in global finance. Before taking the helm at Arise, Sawaneh was Vice President Finance at the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) in Lagos, who sent him on secondment to hone his expertise in leadership.
Sawaneh, who was previously knighted by the Government of Côte d’Ivoire in 2022 for his role in developing the nation's second biggest, emphasized that the awards reflect a collective effort. He credited the Arise Group teams, his board members and the Finance Leadership Forum (FLF) for fostering an environment where performance and consistency are valued over pedigree.
"Your background is a starting point, not a limit," Sawaneh said, addressing young professionals entering the workforce.
Beyond the boardroom, Sawaneh has carved out a niche as an author on leadership, finance and personal development, further signalling a modern approach to the CFO role, one that balances fiscal discipline with broader social impact.
Read Other Articles In Headlines
