Our leadership team

Find out more about our team members below

Management Team

Muhammad Shah Newaj

Managing Director

Muhammad Shah Newaj

Managing Director

Mr. 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.

Md. Abu Sayed

Deputy Managing Director

Md. Abu Sayed

Deputy Managing Director

Since September 2015, Mr Sayed works as the Operations Manager & Deputy Managing Director of ASA Tanzania. He has over 15 year of experience at ASA International. Prior to this, he joined ASA Bangladesh in 2005 as a Regional Manager and worked in different countries such as Pakistan and Afghanistan. He holds a master’s degree in business management (MBA).

Mohamed Omary

Head of HR

Mohamed Omary

Head of HR

Mr. 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.

Joel Joseph Mbumbe

Accounts Manager

Joel Joseph Mbumbe

Accounts Manager

Mr. Joel has over three year of experience in Accounts and Finance and works as the Accounts Manager of ASA Tanzania. He is responsible for handling all the daily transactions and physical cash counts with cash denomination. Moreover, he prepares monthly reports and prepares the bank reconciliation, payroll, and calculation of city service levies. Previously, Mr. Joel worked as an Accounting and Finance Officer Trainee at the Ministry of Finance and Accountants. He obtained his bachelor’s degree of Commerce in Finance from the University of Dodoma.

Aminiel Humphrey Kombe

Finance Manager

Aminiel Humphrey Kombe

Finance Manager

Mr. Aminiel H. Kombe is the Finance Manager at ASA Tanzania since June 2020. As a Certified Public Accountant, he has over six years of experience in managing projects grants, financial management, reporting, setting internal controls, audit, and compliances. Prior to joining ASA Tanzania, he worked at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania and Farm Concern International as a country finance officer. He holds an MSc in Finance and Investment from Coventry University and a bachelor's in Finance and Accounting from the Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania. He is currently obtaining his Certified Professional Banker’s Certification from the Tanzania Institute of Bankers.

James Joseph

Head of IT

James Joseph

Head of IT

Mr. Joseph joined ASA Tanzania in 2015 as an IT & MIS Officer. Before, he worked as an IT Officer at North East Tanzania Conference and tended to different ICT projects. Mr. Joseph successfully managed several IT projects within the Company, such as transforming the Company’s core financial system from desktop application to centralized system and establishing a data centre and disaster recovery site. Mr. Joseph holds a Master of Business Administration in IT Management from the Institute of Accounts Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. He obtained a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology from the Institute of Finance Management, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Geofrey Paul Mwabe

Company Secretary

Geofrey Paul Mwabe

Company Secretary

Mr Mwabe. is an internal Company Secretary at ASA Tanzania. He is a registered advocate of the High Court of Tanzania and Courts subordinate thereto save for Primary Court. Mr. Mwabe specializes in corporate and tax law. Previously, he worked with Fin & law, a law firm in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania as an associate lawyer/Advocate. Before that, he worked with IPC Legal advocate and Juristic Law chambers, both law firms in Mwanza Tanzania, where he held various positions and responsibilities. He also worked with the office of Attorney General in Mwanza, Tanzania as a state attorney trainee. He graduated with a Master’s Degree of Arts in Revenue Law and Administration from the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Zephaniah Paul

Legal, Risk Control & Compliance Manager

Zephaniah Paul

Legal, Risk Control & Compliance Manager

Mr. 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 Audit

Emmanuel Vasco Mayunga

Internal Audit Manager & Head of Internal Audit

Mr. 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.

Hilolimus Kimweri

Fraud & Misappropriation Prevention Unit Manager

Hilolimus Kimweri

Fraud & Misappropriation Prevention Unit Manager

Mr, Kimweri is the Fraud & Misappropriation Prevention Unit Manager. He joined ASA Tanzania in May 2015 as a Loan Officer. Prior to that, he worked as a Credit officer at Access bank Limited, Tanzania, for eight months. Mr, Kimweri holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Finance from the Institute of Accountancy Arusha (IAA).

Mohammad Hafizur Rahman

Division Manager

Mohammad Hafizur Rahman

Division Manager

With 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.

Board of directors

Karin Kersten

Ms Kersten is the Chief Executive Officer of ASA International. She joined the Group Executive Committee as Corporate Development Director in October 2021. She previously worked for ABN AMRO Bank, where she had a distinguished career, most recently as Managing Director, Trade & Commodity Finance. Ms Kersten is a member of the Supervisory Board of Mondriaan Fonds and Chairman of the Audit Committee of Mondriaan Fonds. She is also a member of the selection committee of Hotelschool The Hague.

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.

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

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

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.

Md. Enamul Haque

Md. Enamul Haque joined the Group's Centre of Expertise in July 2023, having served as Chief Operating Officer of ASA International Group plc for 15 years. In addition, he is a board member of three of the Group’s microfinance institutions. Mr Haque has over 38 years of experience in the (international) microfinance industry. He is one of the Founders and former Chairman of Credit and Development Forum in Bangladesh. Between 1987 and 2008 he served in various leadership and management level positions within ASA NGO Bangladesh, where he led the partnership program providing technical and capacity building services and has worked as a consultant for many (international) organizations such as Save the Children (USA)-Jordan, Plan International-Bangladesh and UNDP MicroStart Program-Philippines. Prior to working for ASA NGO Bangladesh, he operated as a Field Coordinator for nine years at Proshika Human Development Center.

Md. Nurul Islam Chowdhury Mafique

Mr. Mafique is the Managing Director of ASA Uganda. He joined ASA Bangladesh in 1994 and obtained his post-graduate degree in Management from National University of Bangladesh in 1997. Since then he has been closely associated with the implementation of ASA’s microfinance program and impact assessment team. He was the Managing Director of ASA Afghanistan (previously part of ASA International) between 2009 - 2010. From 2005 to 2006 he provided consultancy services to the Centre for Community Transformation in the Philippines and the Cambodia Health Committeeto strengthen the Microfinance Service Delivery System, HR Management System, Monitoring/Supervision and implementation. . Mr. Mafique worked with various organizations as a Deputy Managing Director, such as Pag-ASA Philippines (part of ASA International) in 2008 - 2009, ASA Pakistan in 2011 - 2012 and ASA Savings and Loans in 2013-2014. He is member of the Board of Directors of ASA Uganda, ASA Kenya, ASA Tanzania and ASA Rwanda, He is also a member of AMFIU, an association for Microfinance institutions in Uganda.