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DOLLY SAGWE
DIRECTOR, BUSINESS FINANCE – ORACLE AFRICA
Dolly Sagwe is no stranger to the world of finance. A financial guru and trailblazer among women in corporate finance, her impressive career spans over two decades, during which she has climbed the ladder of success, leaving an indelible mark on every organisation she has touched.
Currently, as Director of Business Finance at Oracle Africa, Dolly is at the heart of Oracle’s financial strategy across Africa, working closely with the Oracle Africa Vice President to ensure that the company continues to position value to its Africa customers while maintaining its financial health.
Through diverse and incremental responsibilities in finance over the years, Dolly has been responsible for strategy, business expansion, automation, mergers and acquisitions, budgeting, financial analysis, internal control management, and project management, among other crucial duties. She has worked with diverse and remote teams, enhancing processes, mitigating risks, and optimising governance structures. Her ability to lead with precision and foresight has been instrumental in maintaining competitiveness in a rapidly evolving market.
Before Oracle, Dolly had already gained significant experience at global giants like General Electric (GE) and Hewlett Packard (HP) and Procter & Gamble where her finance career was launched.
At General Electric (GE) she was part of the team that established GE’s Africa headquarters in Nairobi while serving as Assistant Operational Controller for sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), a position where she managed finance finance teams across Africa, delivered on business plans, drove compliance standards and notable efficiencies across GE’s diverse lines of business.
At Hewlett Packard (HP), Dolly rose to lead the sales finance and operational expenses teams for the Middle East, Mediterranean, and Africa (MEMA) region after her initial assignment as the Head of Finance and Operations for East Africa, West Africa, and Madagascar.
Dolly started her career with Procter & Gamble (P&G) which saw her rise to Assistant Finance Manager for East Africa within seven years after graduating from university.
Her vast experience across different sectors and geographies has allowed her to develop a keen understanding of global finance, giving her the ability to navigate complex financial landscapes with ease.
Dolly is deeply passionate about financial literacy, self-leadership, and empowering emerging adults and women in leadership roles. This passion led her to found LifeSMART in 2013, an initiative that has transformed the lives of over 1,000 young adults and teens by equipping them with essential skills in financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and self-leadership.
LifeSMART partners with schools, universities, corporates, and youth groups to ensure that young people are prepared to lead themselves effectively and manage their finances wisely. The program integrates academics, industry insights, and real-life skills, giving young adults the tools they need to thrive in their early careers. Notably, LifeSMART alumni have gone on to local and global universities such as Havard, University of Pennsylvania and most recently Tetr University where Dolly was the first African to hold a master class for a first cohort that is set to disrupt how higher education has been done since the 1700s.
In addition to LifeSMART, Dolly co-founded Prosper Path, a platform dedicated to advancing financial literacy on a national scale. In April 2024, Prosper Path launched Kenya’s first-ever financial literacy awareness campaign, which reached over 100,000 people across the country. The campaign brought together educators, industry leaders, learning institutions, and workplaces to champion the importance of early and continuous financial education. This initiative reflects Dolly’s belief that financial wellness should be accessible to all, and that educating individuals about personal finance is key to building a stronger, more resilient economy.
Dolly’s dedication to fostering leadership, particularly among women, has seen her volunteer in various capacities, serving on numerous boards and mentoring countless individuals. She has been actively involved in organisations such as Oracle Women in Leadership, Women Leaders of the World, Women Corporate Directors and most recently part of the team that launched The Junior League of Nairobi.
Beyond her work in finance and leadership, Dolly is an accredited Executive Coach (AoEC) and a John Maxwell-certified coach. Over the years, she has helped numerous middle-level and senior executives navigate their career journeys, offering guidance on personal finance and professional growth. Her coaching approach is deeply rooted in her belief that every individual has the potential to lead a fulfilling and financially secure life, given the right tools and mindset.
Dolly serves on several boards, contributing her expertise in finance, governance, and strategic planning. She is a Board Member of Kentegra BioTechnology Holdings, Talanton LLC, Heifer Kenya, Funguo Investments, and Mashiara Park, among others.
Her list of accolades is as impressive as her career. In June 2024, she was honoured as one of the 50 Most Influential Women in Kenya by Africapitol, underscoring her remarkable contributions to both the corporate and social sectors.
In 2019, she earned a coveted spot as one of 18 global women selected for the prestigious Women Leaders of the World fellowship, a program recognising female leaders addressing some of the world’s most critical challenges. Earlier in her career, she was named one of Kenya’s Top 40 Under 40 by the Business Daily in 2010, further solidifying her status as a trailblazer in leadership.
Dolly holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in International Business Administration (IBA) with a Finance option from the United States International University – Africa (USIU-A). She is a certified professional in various leadership programs, including the Santander W50: Preparing Our Women Board Members of Tomorrow program from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and the Executive Program at the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Social Impact Strategy.
Additionally, she holds certifications as a John Maxwell Leadership Coach and is currently pursuing certification from the Fearless Leadership Bootcamp of the Fearless Institute by Mavuno Church, among others, which have significantly shaped her leadership philosophy and her approach to coaching and finance.
Dolly is now twenty years married and currently raising three emerging adults. She has often mentioned that her parenting assignment and experience has been one that has continuously helped refine for her the softest, yet often critical, aspects of leading, being led and raising leaders.
As a finance leader, coach, and advocate for women’s empowerment, Dolly Sagwe continues to break barriers and set new standards for excellence. Her journey is an inspiration to aspiring finance professionals, especially women, showing that success is not just about climbing the corporate ladder – it is about transforming the minds of those who come after you so that they too continue to lift others as they rise.
