Find out more about our team members below
Management Team
Muhammad Shah Newaj
Managing DirectorMuhammad Shah Newaj
Managing DirectorMr. Newaj, the Managing Director of ASA Tanzania, is responsible for the company’s establishment in Tanzania. Before that, he served as a Junior Deputy Director at ASA Bangladesh since 2011. He has more than twelve years, including more than nine years at top-level, management experience in the field of finance management, Human Resource Management & administration, microfinance and banking operations. Prior to joining ASA International, he worked as an Operations Officer at City Bank Limited. Mr. Newaj obtained a Masters degree in International Human Resource Management from Manchester Metropolitan University, UK and a Masters in Social Work from Shahjalal University of Science & Technology, Sylhet-Bangladesh. Moreover, he has a diploma in Sales & Marketing Management from the London Centre of Marketing in the UK.
Mohamed Omary
Head of HRMohamed Omary
Head of HRMr. Omary has over seven years of experience in Human Resources (HR) is the head of HR at ASA Tanzania. He is responsible for developing and managing the HR, translating the organization’s strategy into an HR strategy, and providing leadership in learning and development. Previously, Mr. Omary worked at Hanspaul Automechs Limited as an Admin & Financial advisor and in the HR department at the Arusha Municipal Council. Mr. Omary is certified Human Resources under the Association of Certified Corporate Professionals in Africa (ACCPA). He holds a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Human Resources Management (B.COM – HRM) from the University of Dar es Salaam.
Geofrey Paul Mwabe
Company SecretaryGeofrey Paul Mwabe
Company SecretaryMr. Mwabe is an internal Company Secretary at ASA Tanzania. He is a Practicing advocate of the High Court of Tanzania. At ASA Tanzania, Mr. Mwabe is responsible on corporate secretarial matters and regulatory compliance. Previously, he worked with three different law firms where he held various positions and responsibilities. He also worked with the office of Attorney General in Mwanza, Tanzania as state attorney trainee. Mr. Mwabe Holds Master’s Degree of Arts in Revenue Law and Administration (Majoring in Taxation) from the University of Dar es Salaam, Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law School of Tanzania and Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) From St. Augustine University of Tanzania.
Zephaniah Paul
Legal, Risk Control & Compliance ManagerZephaniah Paul
Legal, Risk Control & Compliance ManagerMr. Zephania works as the Legal, Risk Control & Compliance Manager. He is responsible for coordinating and managing projects entrusted to the Legal, Risk & Compliance Department. Moreover, he is involved in developing and executing the fraud/risk strategy and risk management efforts to balance growth and risk controls. Previously, he served as an Associate Advocate with Merit Attorneys, handling clients’ legal needs and queries and representing clients before the Courts of Laws and Tribunals. He holds a Postgraduate Degree in Legal Practice from the Law School of Tanzania and a Bachelor Degree in Law (LLB) from Mzumbe University, Tanzania.
Emmanuel Vasco Mayunga
Internal Audit Manager & Head of Internal AuditEmmanuel Vasco Mayunga
Internal Audit Manager & Head of Internal AuditMr. Vasco Mayunga is a certified public accountant with a professional qualification from the National Board of Accountants and Auditors. He joined ASA Tanzania in 2017 as the Internal Audit Manager. Previously, he worked for WISE (NGO), where he served as a senior program accountant and for Compassion International in the Mazimbu project- Morogoro as a project accountant. He has a bachelor degree of Commerce in Accounting from the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Mohammad Hafizur Rahman
Division ManagerMohammad Hafizur Rahman
Division ManagerWith fourteen years of experience in the microfinance industry, Mr. Mohammad Hafizur Rahman (Milon) is currently working as the Division Manager at ASA Tanzania. In 2014, he started working as the Cluster Cum Trainer at ASA Tanzania. He joined ASA Bangladesh in 2006 as a Branch Manager, before joining ASA Ghana in 2008, where he worked as a Technical Assistant. Mr. Mohammad Hafizur Rahman (Milon) holds a Bachelor of Arts from Government Asheckmahmud College, Accredited by the National University Board.
Nwaka Mwabulambo
Head of Treasury and InvestmentNwaka Mwabulambo
Head of Treasury and InvestmentNwaka Mwabulambo joined ASA in August 2024. He is an experienced banker and financial market practitioner with more than 20 years of professional experience in banking operations, credit management and treasury management. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) and an MBA (Finance) from the University of Dar es Salaam. He is also a Chartered Financial Analyst (ACI).
Goodluck Meena
Head of IT, DFS & SystemsGoodluck Meena
Head of IT, DFS & SystemsMr Goodluck joined ASA Tanzania in August 2024. He has over 14 years of experience in microfinance, fintech and commercial banking. Prior to joining ASA Tanzania, he served as Senior Project Manager at Sesfont Technology (South Africa), Regional & IT Head at BancABC (Now Access Bank) in Tanzania & South Africa, Head of IT at Advans Microfinance Group (Ghana & Tanzania) and Chief Operations Officer at Letshego Faidika Bank in Tanzania. Mr Goodluck is a Certified SAFe® 5 Practitioner and holds an MBA in IT Management from Coventry University (UK).
Salehe S Abraham
Finance ManagerSalehe S Abraham
Finance ManagerSalehe S Abraham has been working with ASA Microfinance (Tanzania) Limited for 7 years since 2017, holding various positions including Finance Officer, Assistant Finance Manager and now Finance Manager. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from the University of Arusha (UOA).
Nyanshole Makale ACCA
Head of AccountsNyanshole Makale ACCA
Head of AccountsMs. Makale joined ASA Tanzania on 15th August 2024. She is a seasoned banker with more than 8-years work experience in banking operations and Finance. She has worked for Mkombozi Commercial Bank Plc and Bank of Africa - Tanzania focusing on Financial and Management reporting, Regulatory and Compliance reporting, Payroll management, Cost Management, Taxation, Audit, and Bank operations. She is a self-motivated and flexible individual with an interest in personal growth. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Maryland, USA. She is a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.
Marystella Sylvester Katemana, CPA
Chief Financial OfficerMarystella Sylvester Katemana, CPA
Chief Financial OfficerMarystella Sylvester Katemana, a seasoned finance professional with over 15 years in Tanzania's financial sector, brings a wealth of experience from her roles in prominent commercial banks. She previously held key positions at Diamond Trust Bank Tanzania, including Senior Finance Manager and Deputy Head of Finance, where she focused on taxation, regulatory compliance, statutory audits, and financial reporting. She also served as Business Support Manager at Commercial Bank of Africa (now NCBA Tanzania), specializing in product performance, project support, and payroll management. Marystella holds an MBA from the University of South Wales, a CPA (T) from the National Board of Accountants & Auditors (NBAA), and an Advanced Diploma in Accounting from Moshi Co-operative University (MoCU).
Board of directors
Mohammed Azim Hossain
Mohammed Azim Hossain
Azim Hossain assumed the role of Chief of Operations ('CO') of ASA International in July 2023, having served as the Group's Director of Investment, Treasury and Risk Management since 2005. Mr Hossain has over 34 years of experience in the microfinance industry, having worked for 20 years at ASA NGO Bangladesh, where he held various positions including Director of Finance & MIS and Senior Finance Professional. At ASA Bangladesh, Mr Hossain established the finance and MIS systems, was involved in the development and design of the AMMS, assisted in the establishment of risk management frameworks and was in charge of the NGO Partnership Programme, providing technical and financial assistance to microfinance institutions. He has also worked with the UNDP MicroStart programme in the Philippines and Nigeria, where he was responsible for development, products and services, financial management, performance analysis and business planning.
Rob Keijsers
Rob Keijsers
Rob Keijsers took on the role of Interim Chief Executive Officer of ASA International Group plc as of 1 November 2024, having previously served as Chief Digital and Information Officer in July 2023. He initially joined as Chief Information Officer in May 2022. As Chief Digital and Information Officer, other than leading the IT department, he was responsible for the overall digital transformation journey which included the implementation and adoption of the specific digital technologies as well as the way in which people, processes and technology can enable this digital way of working. Rob joined from ABN Amro Bank and over the past 15 years has gained experience in the cross section of business operations and IT in a multinational banking environment, specifically in large scale digital transformations, post-merger and agile integrations, and setting up green field operations.
Muhammad Shah Newaj
Muhammad Shah Newaj
Mr. Newaj is an ex-officio member of the Board of ASA Tanzania by virtue of his position as Managing Director.
Victoria Lembeli Moller
Victoria Lembeli Moller
Mrs. Moller is a retired commissioner from the Ministry of Home Affairs Immigration Department of Tanzania since 2014. In 2014, she was appointed by H.E the President of the United Republic of Tanzania to the position of Commissioner of Immigration to head the Division of Permits, Passes and Visa. She also serviced a two-year contract as commissioner of Immigration Permit, Passes and Visa between 2015 and 2017. She holds a Diploma in Administration and Public Relations from the Universal Group of Colleges Nairobi Accredited by ABMA London. She attended different courses and seminars including a two weeks short course on International Humanitarian Law at the Institute of International Humanitarian Law in San Remo, Italy. In 2006, she was appointed as a member of the Employment Committee at the Tanzania High Commissioner-Nairobi before she became a Chair person of Immigration Recruitment in 2011. In 2012, she was appointed as a member of the steering Committee of the Tanzania Tourism Sector Survey. She is an Independent Director of ASA Tanzania.
Flora Lugangira Rutabanzibwa
Flora Lugangira Rutabanzibwa
Mrs. Rutabanzibwa is a retired central banker since 2018. She holds a MSc (Economics) from Queen College, University of London. She worked for the Bank of Tanzania for 18 years where she held various positions and responsibilities. From 2016 to 2018 she was a Senior Advisor, Directorate of Economic Research and Policy, which coordinated the development and implementation of the Monetary Policy and the financial inclusion policy agenda in the country. Prior to that, Mrs. Rutabanzibwa, as Manager, Department of Real Sector and Microfinance, she promoted the creation of a conducive policy, legal and regulatory environment for the development of the microfinance sector and inclusive economic development in Tanzania. In that capacity, in 2009, she pioneered the incorporation of the financial inclusion concept in the Second Generation Financial Sector Reform Programme, and in 2011, played a key role for the Bank of Tanzania to adopt financial inclusion as a corporate objective. In 2012, she spearheaded the setting up of the National Financial Inclusion Council and its Committees. Heading the National Financial Inclusion Secretariat, she coordinated the establishment and implementation of the first National Financial Inclusion Framework (2014 – 2016), a public and private stakeholders’ initiative. Prior to the Bank of Tanzania, Mrs. Rutabanzibwa worked as a Senior Consultant at the Tanzania Presidential Commission for Parastatal Sector Reform, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at UNICEF – Tanzania Country Office, Project Appraisal Officer, Tanzania Investment Bank, and Research Assistant at Relief and Development Institute, London.