Dr. Florens Martin Turuka

NON-EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN

Dr. Turuka holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from Justus-Liebig-University, Germany, a Master of Science in Agricultural Economics from the University of Reading, UK, and a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania. His academic rigor is complemented by certifications in public administration, leadership, and governance. He is a seasoned agricultural economist and public servant with over 30 years of leadership experience in academia, national development, and transformative policy implementation. He currently serves as the Executive Secretary of the Presidential Food and Agriculture Delivery Council. He previously served as a Senior Lecturer at Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania, where he continues to shape future leaders in agricultural economics and policy. Earlier in his career, Dr. Turuka laid the foundation for his expertise in policy and institutional development through advisory roles in agricultural finance and rural development programs. His leadership extends to corporate governance, where he has chaired high-impact boards.
He has served as Permanent Secretary in key Tanzanian ministries, including the Ministry of Defence and National Service, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, and the Prime Minister’s Office.
Dr. Turuka brings invaluable expertise in governance and national development

Isabela Maganga

MANAGING DIRECTOR

Isabela is a career banker with over fifteen years of experience. She holds a Master of Science in Finance and Investments from Coventry University, a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science and Management from Sokoine University of Agriculture. She also holds a High Diploma in Banking from Milpark Business School. Certified Expert on SME Finance from Frankfurt Business school. Prior to her appointment, Isabela Maganga was the Head of Commercial at the Bank.

Bakari S. Machumu

Non-Executive Director

Mr. Machumu holds an Executive Masters in Media Leadership and Innovation from the Aga Khan University and an MBA from the Eastern and Southern Africa Management Institute and a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture General from the Sokoine University of Agriculture.

He is a seasoned media personality and business leader with over 27 years of experience in journalism and media leadership. He is the Founder and CEO of BSM Washauri (TZ) Ltd., a company focused on leadership training.

His leadership roles include serving as the Executive Editor and CEO of Mwananchi Communications Ltd., as well as the Vice Chairman of the Tanzania Editors’ Forum.

Dino Stengel

Non-Executive Director

Dino holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from Rhodes University. He joined Achelis in Bremen, Germany in 1997 and is currently the Managing Director of Achelis (Tanganyika) and Managing Partner of Joh Achelis & Söhne in Germany. He has over 25 years of cross-functional experience within the group in Eastern and Southern Africa. In Tanzania, he is the Chairman of the Young Presidents Organisation, has chaired the German Business Association and founded the European Union Business Group in 2012. He is also a member of various local and international committees.

Unguu R. Sulay

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Mr. Sulay holds a Master of Science in Accounting & Finance from Mzumbe University and is a Certified Public Accountant. He is also a fellow member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA - UK). He brings over 15 years of experience in global manufacturing operations, risk management, and business strategy.

Mr. Sulay is currently the Group CEO of Aria Tanzania Group and has held various senior roles, including Managing Director at Coca-Cola Kwanza and Chief Financial Officer at Plasco Limited and Tanga Cement. He is a recognized leader in sustainability, governance, and corporate responsibility.

EVELYN RUTAGWENDA

Non-Executive Director

Evelyn holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Makerere University, Kampala. She is a Certified Public Accountant and member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Rwanda (ICPAR). She previously worked as the Auditor General for the Republic of Rwanda; as the Secretary-General of Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UNCCI); consultant/project accountant for Decentralization Secretariat (Institutional Capacity Building Project); Ministry of Local Government, Uganda and also as Chief Auditor at UCA Auditing Services among others. Evelyn spearheaded the formation of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Rwanda (ICPAR) and subsequently served the Institute in various capacities including, Chairperson of the Interim Governing Council, Ex Officio and elected member of the Governing Council. In 2009, she received an ACCA Achievements Award for her outstanding contribution to developing the accountancy and finance profession.

She is currently a Non-Executive Director of Equity Bank Tanzania Limited and Vice Chair Rwanda Development Board. In 2021, she completed her terms as Chair of the Boards of Equity Bank Rwanda Plc, MTN Rwanda and Crystal Telecom Limited, and previously served on the Boards of Equity Group Holdings PLC, Equity Bank Uganda Limited, Total Uganda Limited and Victoria Motors Rwanda Limited.

GEORGE THEOBALD

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

George holds a Bachelors Degree in Economics (BA) from The University of Exeter and prior to living in Africa he served in The British Army and worked in The City of London. He has served as a Director in various Boards including, Chairman of The Tatepa Group (the largest smallholder tea producer in Tanzania), Chairman of The Marginpar Group (a group of flower farms) based in Kenya, Ethiopia and The Netherlands (and in that capacity holds Directorships in Holland and Switzerland) and the Chairman of the Nomad Group (a chain of safari lodges in Tanzania). He is also Chairman of FTG Holdings (a GEMS Listed Company in Kenya), Domino Ltd, Pamoja Ltd, and Chanzi Ltd. Finally, he serves as a Director of Wakulima Tea Co. Ltd and The Muthaiga Club. George has been the driving force behind the growth of a number of East African companies spread out across various sectors and has lived in East Africa since 1983.

DR. AGGREY MLIMUKA

Non-Executive Director

Dr. Mlimuka holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree, LL.B (Hons) from the University of Dar es Salaam and Masters in Law (LL.M) from the same University. Additionally, he has a Postgraduate Diploma in International Law and Organisation for Development from the Institute of Social Studies, The Hague. He has an LL.M (magna cum laude) and Doctor Juris (magna cum laude) both from the University of Hamburg. He is an Advocate of the High Court of Tanzania since December 1989. He is a member of the Tanganyika Law Society and the East African Law Society.

He has worked as a Journalist at Shirika la Magazeti ya Chama Ltd. Publishers of Uhuru/Mzalendo Newspapers, State Attorney at the Tanzania Attorney General Chambers, Tutorial Assistant, Assistant lecturer, lecturer and eventually as a senior lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam Faculty of Law. Dr. Mlimuka has also served as the National Project Coordinator, ILO/Strengthening Labour Relations in East Africa (SLAREA) in Tanzania. The Project dealt with labour law reform in East Africa and the strengthening of the capacities of social partners. In addition to coordinating project activities in Tanzania, he frequently oversaw regional project activities in the absence of the Chief Technical Adviser (CTA). He held the position of Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Association of Tanzania Employers (ATE) where he retired in 2021. He is a member of the Labour, Economic and Social Council (LESCO) under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Chairman of the Fair Competition Commission (FCC) and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Public Servants Social Security Fund (PSSSF).

Dr. Mlimuka is also the author of the book titled ‘The Eastern African States and the Exclusive Economic Zone: The Case of EEZ Proclamations, Maritime Boundaries and Fisheries’ as well as several articles in various journals.

JOHN WILSON

Non-Executive Director

John is a graduate of the Swedish Military Academy and holds a Master of Arts in Economics from Uppsala University and a Master of Public Affairs from Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University. John began his career at McKinsey & Co in Europe and the former and infrastructure companies. He then joined the World Bank Private Sector Development Department working on privatization in Cameroon, Ghana, Malawi, Russia and Ukraine, and was thereafter seconded to the IFC Global Capital Markets Department. Returning to his native Sweden, John built the Export & Project Finance department at Swedbank, and then headed up Structured Finance, Equity Capital Markets, Investor Relations and Corporate Strategy. In 2006, he joined Kaupthing Bank as Head of Investment Banking and then returned to IFC in 2008. Prior to joining Equity Group in August 2019 as Group Chief Operating Officer, and subsequently Group Chief Risk & Compliance Officer, John was a Manager in the financial sector in Sub-Saharan Africa for IFC. Before that, he was responsible for IFC’s banking experts and risk management advisory services as global Head of Banking, and before that a Principal Banking Specialist covering sub-Saharan Africa, stationed in Nairobi since 2008.

Isabela Maganga

MANAGING DIRECTOR

Isabela is a career banker with over fifteen years of experience. She holds a Master of Science in Finance and Investments from Coventry University, a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science and Management from Sokoine University of Agriculture. She also holds a High Diploma in Banking from Milpark Business School. Certified Expert on SME Finance from Frankfurt Business school. Prior to her appointment, Isabela Maganga was the Head of Commercial at the Bank.

Rojas Peter Mdoe

GENERAL MANAGER, BANKING OPERATIONS

Rojas holds a Bachelor’s degree of Commerce in Finance from the University of Dar Es Salaam (UDSM) and a Master’s degree of Science in Accounting and Finance from Mzumbe University.- He is a Certified Professional Banker (CPB) registered with the Tanzania Institute of Bankers (TIOB) and also holding a Diploma in Risk Management by KPMG, Sweden. He has more than 15 years of experience in the banking industry having worked in Credit, Risk Management, Operations and Technology units. Rojas worked as a Senior Credit Analyst for Exim Bank, Tanzania, Head of Risk for Bank of Baroda, Tanzania, Head of Risk for KCB Bank, Tanzania, Head of Operations & ICT for KCB Bank, Tanzania, as well as Head of Operations & ICT for Equity Bank, Tanzania. Currently he is the General Manager – Bank Operations for Equity Bank, Tanzania.

Mjabwa Hanzuruni

HEAD OF RISK

Mjabwa holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from The Eastern and Southern African Management Institute (ESAMI), a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance from Mzumbe University. He brings on board vast experience in SME and risk management, having served in the banking industry for 15 years. Prior to his appointment, he worked as a consultant in financial management and investigations and previously, the Head of Risk at Bank of Africa (BOA), Tanzania.

Makoye Ngofillo

HEAD OF HUMAN RESOURCES

Makoye holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Catholic University of Eastern Africa - Nairobi, Kenya. Makoye has a human capital management overall experience of over 20 years. He brings on board vast experience in human capital management across banking & telecommunication, having served in the banking industry for 5 years and 15 years experience gained from the telecoms space. Prior to his appointment with Equity Bank, Tanzania, He was the Head of HR for Diamond Trust Bank, Tanzania.

Stewart Mujungu

HEAD OF CREDIT

Stewart holds a Bachelor’s degree of Commerce in Accounting from the University of Dar es Salaam’(UDSM). He is a Certified Professional Accountant (CPA) under the National Board of Accountants & Auditors (NBAA) and a Certified Professional Banker (CPB) under the Tanzania Institute of Bankers (TIOB). He brings on board vast experience in credit evaluation, assessment and decision making, having served in the banking industry for 16 years. Prior to his appointment, he was the Head of SME Credit at the National Bank of Commerce (NBC). Tanzania.

Leynnette Machibya

Head of Compliance

Leynnette holds a Bachelor’s degree of Business Administration in Accounting- Monroe College, New Rochelle, NY -USA, MBA in Business Management- Monroe College, New Rochelle, NY-USA. She has more than 15 years of experience in Risk Management and capacity building. Worked as Associate Audit at KPMG LLP, New York, USA, Associate Audit at KPMG LLP, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Operational Risk Manager at National Bank of Commerce (NBC), Tanzania, Head of Risk and Compliance at Akiba Commercial Bank Plc, Tanzania, Head of Risk and Compliance (2019 to 2022) and as Head of Compliance from 2023 in Equity Bank, Tanzania.

Rhoda Mwaka

HEAD OF CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

Rhoda holds a Master of Science in Human Resource Management from Mzumbe University and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from University of Dar es Salaam [UDSM].

Rhoda brings over 14 years of extensive experience and skill in service management, complaint handling/resolution, process development/implementation, contact centre processes, customer satisfaction and retention.

Prior to this role, she was Head of Customer Experience at ISAT Africa UAE since 2021.

Julius Kwigeza

HEAD OF INTERNAL AUDIT

Julius is a distinguished graduate of the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), with a Bachelor of Commerce (BCOM) in accounting with Honors. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), registered with the National Board of Accountants and Auditors (NBAA). Julius brings over 10 years of extensive experience with a background that combines strong academic foundations and professional certifications. His tenure as an Audit Senior at KPMG, Tanzania and Senior Manager in Internal Audit at Absa Bank, Tanzania, showcases his commitment to financial oversight and risk management.

Yusuf Shenyagwa

HEAD OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

Yusuf holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration [Marketing] with Honors from the University of Wales, England. Having joined Equity Bank, Tanzania, as Head of Marketing and Communications. Yusuf brings on board over 17 years experience in Marketing and Communication. Having recently worked at NMB Bank Plc, Tanzania, a role held for 10 years as a Senior Manager, Brand & Product Marketing, prior to that as a Manager within the same organization. Before this role, worked at NIC, Tanzania, now NCBA bank as Marketing & Communications Manager and prior to this, worked at KCB Bank, Tanzania, as a Marketing Manager a position held for 5 years in different capacities.

Mgisha Mboneko

HEAD OF LEGAL

Mgisha is a registered and practising advocate and notary public of the High Court of Tanzania and all courts below since 2008. Mgisha holds a Bachelor’s degree of Laws and a Master’s degree in Taxation Laws both from the University of Dar es salaam (UDSM). He joined the Bank in June, 2023, before joining the Bank he was a Manager of Legal Service at CRDB Bank Plc, Tanzania, where he worked for ten years. Prior to CRDB Bank Plc, Tanzania, he was a State Attorney at the Attorney General’s Chambers where he worked for five years. Currently he is the Head of Legal Service at Equity Bank, Tanzania.

Jacob Mbwele

HEAD OF TREASURY

Jacob holds a Master of Science in Finance and Investment from Durham University (UK) and a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Corporate Finance from the University of Dar es Salaam. He is certified by the Capital Markets and Securities Authority (CMSA) as an investment analyst and holds Associate (ACSI) membership with the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI). He is also qualified with an ACI Dealing Certificate from ACI FMA.

He has extensive experience and expertise in trading and risk management, with a strong track record in developing and executing trading strategies across foreign exchange, interest rate derivatives, fixed income instruments, and structured product solutions. His competencies also include treasury execution and asset and liability management.

Prior to his current appointment, Jacob served as Head of Trading at the National Bank of Commerce (NBC) in Tanzania