Mr Emmanuel Chacha. PHOTO | COURTESY
Business journalist
Summary
· The founder and managing director of the audit firm Kepler Associates was in February appointed to the Global Board of Directors of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA)
Dar es Salaam. It came as a pleasant surprise to Mr Emmanuel Chacha
when he learnt that he would join a global platform of directors headquartered
in Florida, USA.
The founder and managing director of
the audit firm Kepler Associates was in February appointed to the Global Board
of Directors of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), the only person from
Africa to feature in the 17-member panel.
Mr Chacha, 45, who has been
appointed director of professional certification, becomes the second Tanzanian
to join the IIA board after Mr Augustino Mbogella, who served as a member for
three years from 2018.
“I was in London for official duties when I
received a call from the chairman of the IIA Global Nominating Committee,
Naohiro Mouri,” says Mr Chacha, whose term will begin in July, this year, and
end in July 2025.
“It took me about half an hour to
digest the news because it is the highest level of recognition in the internal
auditing profession and it comes with big responsibilities.”
Mr Chacha, who also served as IIA
Tanzania president from 2011 to 2015, says reaching the top has not been easy.
He adds that there is stiff
competition, especially among potential candidates from Africa.
“Due to tough competition, it is
rare to get members from Africa and that is why I didn’t bother to apply for
the post,” says Mr Chacha, who adds that members are picked either through
application or appointed directly from their countries.
Since its IIA’s inception 82 years
ago, only three African countries have produced board members, namely Tanzania
(2), South Africa (2) and Botswana (1).
Mr Chacha says his appointment can
enable Tanzania to benefit from resources, research and experiences and thus
further develop internal auditing in the country.
The holder of a Master of Business
Administration (MBA) in Financial Services degree from the University of East
London adds, “I think I was appointed based on my competence. I have been
successful in all institutions I have worked with.”
He is also the first Tanzanian to be
elected chairman of the African Federation of the Institute of the Internal
Auditors (AFIIA), a post he has held since May 2019.
Mr Chacha, whose AFIIA tenure ends
in May, says it has been four years of success as he has made it possible for
members speak with one voice.
“In the past, it was hard for
members to agree on key issues, especially financing of the body,” the
father-of-four says, adding, “That is now a thing of the past.”
Noting that his appointment may
build or kill future appointments, he says he will work around the clock to
deliver.
“My dream is to become the IIA
Global Board chairman. I’m positive I have what it takes to get there,” asserts
Mr Chacha.
He is currently also doubling as the
first IIA Global Nominating Committee member from sub-Saharan Africa, a post
that he served from 2019-2020.
Mr Chacha began his career with a
humble beginning before navigating and becoming one of the most respected
leaders in audit around the globe.
Mr Mbogella, for his part, describes
Mr Chacha as a passionate volunteer leader of the internal audit profession who
has contributed to the development of the internal audit profession in Tanzania
and Africa.
Mr Chacha has consulted and trained
in internal audit governance and risk management, he adds.
“His appointment recognises the
contribution that Tanzania has made to the development of the internal audit
profession in Africa and the world,” says Mr Mbogella, managing director of GRC
Solutions Ltd.
GRC Solutions Ltd provides innovative
and practical training and consultancy services in governance, risk management
and control using the latest technology.
Mr Mbogella concludes, “Tanzania
should be proud of this achievement.”
IIA Tanzania president Zelia Njeza
describes Mr Chacha as a passionate, committed and hardworking auditor.
“He never settles for less. He is
really a passionate auditor and this doesn’t come by chance. It requires a
commitment to serve even if at a free cost,” she says.
Ms Njeza adds that Mr Chacha has
been an inspirational leader to many including herself and when it comes to
feedback, he doesn’t wait and talk aside.
“He flags well our country when it
comes to internal audit leadership and he continues inspiring many, not only
here in Tanzania, but across Africa and the world.
“I think this is something that has
given him an opportunity to serve in the IIA Global board.”
Tanzanians being seen globally, she
adds, is a sign of a professional growth in Tanzania.
Ms Njeza says Mr Chacha’s
appointment will set the stage for Tanzania’s improvement in terms of internal
audit profession and visibility of IIA Tanzania as well.
“Having a seat on the global board,
it is our strong belief that our voice will be heard instantly, instead of
waiting for months/ quarterly to air out our professional issues.”
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