InstinctBusiness Top Three (3) CEOs of the Week

We are thrilled to introduce InstinctBusiness Top Three (3) CEOs of the Week, celebrating visionary leaders who have achieved remarkable success in their industries.

InstinctBusiness Magazine’s CEO of the Week shines a spotlight on top-performing Chief Executive Officers across Africa, honoring their outstanding leadership, impactful achievements, innovative contributions, extensive industry expertise, and invaluable impact on their organizations.

These exceptional Chief Executive Officers have demonstrated extraordinary leadership, strategic innovation, and unwavering commitment to their organizations’ success. Join us in celebrating their significant achievements and contributions and inspiring leadership qualities that have set them apart in the business world.

Here are the Top Three (3) CEOS of the Week

Uganda Development Bank Limited Managing Director, Patricia Ojangole Named InstinctBusiness CEO of the Week

Patricia Ojangole is a seasoned professional accountant with over 17 years of international experience in Banking and Finance. She has spent a significant portion of her career specializing in Internal Audit, Risk Management, and Governance within large multinational financial institutions. In the past seven years, she has dedicated herself to development banking, where she has made a substantial impact.

Currently serving as the Managing Director of Uganda Development Bank Limited (UDB), Patricia has played a pivotal role in transforming the Bank into a trusted and preferred partner of the Government of Uganda, aligning with the country’s socio-economic development goals. Under her leadership, UDB has become a key player in driving sustainable growth, reducing poverty, creating a sustainable food system, and industrializing Uganda.

Before her appointment as CEO in December 2012, Patricia was the Chief Internal Auditor at UDB, a role she joined shortly after joining the bank in August of the previous year. Prior to joining UDB, she was a Senior Manager in Internal Audit at Standard Bank Group in Uganda.

Ms. Ojangole holds a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree in Development Finance from the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa, and an Executive Master’s degree in Business Administration from the Eastern and Southern African Management Institute (ESAMI), Tanzania. She is currently undertaking her PhD studies, with research interests in national development finance institutions, financial sector development, and sustainable finance.

A Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (UK), Ms. Ojangole is also a member of both the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU) and the Institute of Internal Auditors Uganda (IIA).

EFG Holding Group CEO and Chairman of the Executive Committee, Karim Awad, Recognized as InstinctBusiness CEO of the Week

Karim Awad is the Group CEO, Chairman of the Executive Committee, and a member of the Board of Directors at EFG Holding S.A.E., a trailblazing financial institution with a Universal Bank in Egypt and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. With over 25 years of extensive experience in the financial industry, Awad began his career at EFG Hermes in 1998, starting in the Investment Banking Department. He quickly rose through the ranks, heading the division in 2007 and leading several high-profile local and regional transactions.

In 2012, Awad was appointed as the CEO of the Investment Bank, EFG Hermes, and in 2013, he became the Group CEO of EFG Holding. Under his leadership, EFG Holding has undergone significant restructuring. Awad successfully streamlined expenses and divested non-core assets, notably a majority stake in Lebanese bank Credit Libanais. Working closely with EFG Holding’s senior management, he spearheaded a major shift in the firm’s strategy, transforming it into a premier financial solutions provider focused on the MENA markets.

Awad’s vision for EFG Holding revolves around six key pillars: attracting top talent, improving market positioning, selectively expanding geographically, enhancing product offerings, driving profitability, and ensuring public responsibility through strong corporate social responsibility (CSR) and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) standards.

Under his leadership, EFG Holding’s Investment Bank, EFG Hermes, has seen substantial growth. Over the past nine years, it has strengthened its market share in core operations such as investment banking, brokerage, and research in Egypt, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait. Awad was instrumental in the revamp of the Buy-side business through the consolidation of regional asset management with UAE-based affiliate Frontier Investment Management (FIM), as well as the re-emergence of an active Private Equity division, which is making significant inroads into renewables, education, and healthcare.

EFG Holding has also expanded its product suite by establishing a full-fledged non-bank financial institutions (NBFI) platform, EFG Finance. This platform includes leasing & factoring, microfinance, financial technology, mortgage, payments, insurance, in addition to fixed income and structured products. In November 2021, the firm completed the acquisition of Bank NXT, a commercial bank in Egypt, solidifying its transformation into a universal banking platform.

Thanks to Awad’s strategic leadership, EFG Holding’s revenues reached EGP 14.7 billion, with profits standing at EGP 2.5 billion in 2023. The firm remains dedicated to community engagement through a vibrant CSR policy, and it actively adheres to progressive ESG standards, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable development. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (BBA) from the American University in Cairo.

Union Gold Zambia CEO, Mark O’Donnell Emerges as InstinctBusiness CEO of the Week

Mark O’Donnell brings over 40 years of extensive business experience in Zambia, having established himself as a prominent figure in the country’s economic landscape. As the major shareholder and Chairman of Union Gold Zambia Ltd, a diversified conglomerate with investments spanning multiple sectors, he has played a pivotal role in driving growth and fostering economic development across Zambia.

Under his leadership, Union Gold Group has expanded into key industries, including hospitality, construction, and distribution. Some notable ventures within the Group include Protea Hotels Zambia Ltd, which has contributed significantly to the country’s hospitality sector; Velos Enterprises Ltd, specializing in construction and infrastructure projects; and Kazuma Enterprises, the leading distributor of major beverage brands in Zambia. These businesses have not only created substantial employment opportunities but have also boosted local economies through job creation and community development.

Mark O’Donnell is a recognized leader in the Zambian business community, actively engaging in corporate governance and strategic planning. He is a member of the Institute of Directors and serves on the Board of several organizations as an Independent Director, providing valuable insights and strategic oversight to foster sustainable business practices and ethical corporate management.