I am passionate about building sustainable African MSMEs – Nwaobi-Onyekwere

Obianuju Nwaobi-Onyekwere, in this interview with LYDIA ENYIDIYA EKE, reflects on her journey, the evolving role of the CFO, and her vision for Africa’s economic transformation.

Recently honoured as the ACCA 2025 Africa CFO of the Year (MSME category) in Mombasa, Kenya, the Chief Financial Officer of Manifold Computers Limited has emerged as one of Africa’s most influential voices in purpose-driven finance leadership. Beyond the boardroom, she is shaping the future of African businesses through Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) digitalisation, mentorship, and women’s leadership advocacy. She said that Africa is known as a continent where MSMEs form the backbone of economic growth. Excerpts:

May we know what you are into at the moment?

I am a Chartered Accountant and finance leader, currently serving as the Chief Financial Officer of Manifold Computers Limited, one of Nigeria’s leading IT systems integration companies. My role spans financial strategy, governance, performance management, risk oversight, and supply-chain optimisation. Beyond my corporate responsibilities, I am deeply involved in building financial capacity across Africa’s MSME ecosystem, helping businesses transition from survival to sustainable growth through structure, discipline, and innovation.

Your finance journey is often described as purpose-driven. What shaped that journey?

My journey began with a very personal story of loss and purpose. As a child, I witnessed my father’s once-thriving business collapse in the late 1980s, not due to lack of hard work, but because of weak financial structures and limited access to support. That experience led to my family relocating from Zaria in Kaduna State to our village, Osumenyi in Anambra State. Growing up there shaped my lifelong conviction that finance must be a force for transformation. When businesses fail due to poor structure, people lose livelihoods, dignity, and hope. Everything I do today is therefore driven by a desire to prevent that outcome for others.

What ACCA Africa Award did you receive, and what does it mean to you?

I was honoured with the CFO of the Year Award in the MSME category at the 2025 ACCA Africa CFO Awards in Mombasa, Kenya. This recognition is deeply meaningful because it celebrates finance leadership that drives resilience, innovation, and sustainable growth, especially within Africa’s MSME sector. It affirms that disciplined, values-driven CFO leadership is essential to building strong economies.

How important is such recognition for professionals, especially women?

An award from ACCA, the global body for professional accountants with over 250,000 members worldwide, is significant. For me, it represents both validation and responsibility: validation that purpose-driven work matters, and responsibility to keep raising standards. For women and young finance leaders, it sends a powerful message that excellence, consistency, and impact are visible and valued. It also reinforces the CFO’s role as a strategic leader, not merely a compliance officer.

Beyond your corporate role, you are deeply involved in the MSME ecosystem. Tell us more about this?

I am currently pursuing a bold mission to digitalise 1,000 African MSMEs within the next five years. The goal is to equip small businesses with systems, tools, and financial discipline that enable them to scale sustainably and attract investment.

You also play an active role in professional and community development. Where have you served?

I serve as Deputy Chair of the ACCA Women’s Network Nigeria, supporting women and young professionals to lead with confidence, competence, and purpose through mentorship, advocacy, and capacity-building programs. I have also volunteered with the FATE Foundation, facilitating Finance Foundation I and II courses for early-stage entrepreneurs, helping founders understand their numbers and build structures for long-term growth.

How has the role of the CFO evolved for MSMEs in Africa?

The CFO role has evolved from a back-office reporter to a strategic growth partner. Today’s CFO must understand operations, technology, people, and risk. For MSMEs, the key mindset shift is recognising that finance is not a regulatory burden, it is a growth enabler. Businesses that embed financial discipline early are more resilient and better positioned to scale.

What is the future of finance in Africa, especially in relationship with digital strategy?

The future of finance is digital, strategic, and insight-driven. While routine reporting will be automated, CFOs will focus more on analytics, scenario planning, risk management, and strategic decision-making. The CFO of the future is not just a custodian of numbers but a co-pilot to the CEO.

What advice would you give to young Nigerian female entrepreneurs to enable them stand out as strong, innovative female voices?

First, master your numbers, cash flow, pricing, and margins. Financial literacy is power.

Second, build structure and governance early, regardless of business size. Third, seek mentors and supportive communities. Finally, resilience is built daily. Nigeria is challenging, but disciplined, adaptable, and purpose-driven entrepreneurs can still scale and succeed.

What legacy are you intentionally building?

My mission is to make prosperity accessible, equitable, and sustainable. I want to build businesses that last, leaders who are equipped, and systems that work, while, proving that finance, when guided by purpose, can transform lives and economies across Africa.