Chembe Chakalashi has carved a distinguished path in Zambia’s financial sector as the Chief Financial Officer of Citibank Zambia. Renowned for his strategic foresight and dedication to excellence, he continues to play a pivotal role in driving the bank’s growth and strengthening its leadership in the nation’s banking industry.
With a career spanning over a decade and a half, Chakalashi’s journey began with foundational roles at KPMG and BDO Zambia Limited, where he honed his expertise as a Senior Accountant and Auditor, mastering international auditing standards and financial statement preparation.
His ascent continued at EY as Assurance Assistant Manager, managing diverse client portfolios across manufacturing, banking, and mining sectors, while driving business development and mentoring emerging talent, before transitioning to Lafarge Zambia Plc as Internal Audit Manager, where he spearheaded risk management and governance reporting for four transformative years.
Chakalashi’s leadership evolved further with a high-profile secondment to LafargeHolcim North America, auditing cement plants across the USA and collaborating with the corporate team in Paris, showcasing his global perspective on working capital management. Returning to Zambia, he elevated Investrust Bank Plc and Zambia Electronic Clearing House Limited (ZECHL) as Head of Internal Audit and ICT Committee Member, respectively, before joining Citibank Zambia in November 2022 as CFO.
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Since then, he has overseen financial strategy with precision, earning a seat on the bank’s Board of Directors as Executive Director since August 2024. His expertise in managerial finance and international standards, coupled with a robust skill set in control systems and capacity building, has fortified Citibank’s position in Zambia’s competitive banking sector.
A proud advocate for innovation, Chakalashi’s tenure reflects a legacy of integrity and strategic oversight, making him a beacon of financial leadership in Africa’s evolving economic narrative.
TheCFO Magazine’s CFO of the Week recognizes exceptional Chief Financial Officers across the globe, celebrating their outstanding leadership, impactful achievements, innovative solutions, extensive industry expertise, and invaluable contributions to their organizations.
