In an era where boardrooms are expected to reflect the boldness of the times, Centum Investment Company Plc has made a striking statement; it’s not just about the money, but about leadership that builds nations.
This week, Centum, the Nairobi-listed investment powerhouse with cross-listing on the Uganda Securities Exchange (USE), announced the appointment of David Ssegawa and Richard Kiplagat as Independent Non-Executive Directors.
Forget the tired stereotype of board appointments as ceremonial checkboxes. This duo comes with real firepower; think Pan-African clout, deep institutional memory, and a future-facing vision.
Their arrival signals Centum’s ambition to recalibrate its governance to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving investment landscape across East Africa.
But perhaps what’s even more exciting is what these appointments mean beyond Centum.
Are we witnessing the rise of a new ‘Afro-intentional’ boardroom culture, where private sector giants are turning to thought leaders, policy veterans, and human capital architects to shape shareholder value and sustainable impact? It’s a conversation worth having.
Let’s meet the game-changers:
He is a human capital maverick, global leadership scholar and culture shifter. If companies are people, then Ssegawa is the kind of leader who knows how to bring out their best selves.
Currently serving as Group Director of Human Capital at Equity Group Holdings, Ssegawa has a long track record of transforming organisational cultures and developing leadership pipelines across Africa and beyond. With a background that spans Unilever, Coca-Cola, and Airtel, he’s the kind of talent whisperer who understands both the boardroom and the frontline.
Armed with a BA from Makerere, an MBA from the University of Leicester, executive education from Harvard Business School, and now pursuing a PhD in Global Leadership, Ssegawa represents a new generation of board members who are as analytical as they are human-centred.
Expect him to drive conversations around talent governance, succession planning, ethical culture, and inclusive leadership; issues too often ignored in investment circles but now more urgent than ever.
Watch this space: Could Ssegawa be the architect of a culture-first investment strategy at Centum?
He is a Pan-African policy strategist, a development thinker and a Public-Private bridge builder. From the corridors of multinational corporations to the negotiation tables of public-private partnerships, Kiplagat has seen and shaped it all.
With a stellar 30-year career across telecom, development, policy, and advisory services, Kipalagat’s voice has echoed in boardrooms and presidential roundtables alike. His work across multiple African economies gives him an unmatched grasp of regional integration, trade diplomacy, and sustainable development frameworks.
He holds a BA in Political Science and Economics from the University of Toronto, with advanced training in climate and energy policy from Harvard, adding a green edge to his governance toolkit.
In a region where socio-economic transformation increasingly depends on smart investments and bold partnerships, Centum has just added a connector-in-chief to its board.
Could Kiplagat be Centum’s secret weapon in aligning business with Africa’s development agenda?
Why This Matters
These are not just appointments, they’re strategic signals. In recruiting leaders with deep institutional experience and purpose-driven visions, Centum is hinting at a pivot: from profit to impactful profit, from compliance to conscious governance, and isolation to ecosystem engagement.
And, for Ugandan and East African professionals watching from the sidelines, it’s a reminder that regional excellence is now a boardroom credential, and the time to prepare for that seat at the table is now.
Let’s Talk:
What do board appointments like these say about the future of governance in Africa?
Should Ugandan firms follow Centum’s lead in diversifying and professionalising their boards?
What’s your take on blending development and investment mindsets?
Join the conversation on Publicisteastafrica.com and tag us with your thoughts. The boardroom has gone Pan-African, and the impact could be seismic.