CMA N.V.V. Chalapathi Rao has taken over as the Group Chief Financial Officer (GCFO) of Madhvani Group, bringing with him over three decades of multifaceted leadership in finance, strategy, and corporate governance across global markets. His appointment marks a strategic move for the Uganda-based conglomerate, as it continues to build on its legacy of diversified growth and operational excellence across Africa.
Chalapathi Rao most recently served as the Group CFO & Head of Corporate Affairs at B5 Plus Group, a leading steel manufacturer and ISO 9001:2015 certified company operating across Africa. Over his six-year tenure, he was instrumental in optimizing capital structures, securing major funding lines, acquisitions and enhancing corporate compliance frameworks. His earlier roles include Group CFO and Director at Melcom Group and Head of Internal Audit for Africa at Wilmar International – a Fortune Global 500 company – where he oversaw internal controls across more than a dozen countries.
Throughout his career, he has successfully executed corporate strategies involving cost-to-profit center transformations, competitive market positioning, ERP rollouts (notably leading Asia’s largest SAP implementation in real estate at Jaypee Group), and comprehensive risk management programs. His extensive experience spans legal, public relations, anti-fraud, forensic accounting, IPO readiness, and M&A advisory – making him a uniquely equipped finance leader for complex, cross-border enterprises.
An accomplished Cost and Management Accountant (CMA), Chalapathi Rao has held senior leadership positions in Qatar, Ghana, UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and India. He has also played pivotal roles in fraud investigations and liaised with regulatory and enforcement agencies across multiple jurisdictions, reinforcing his reputation for integrity and governance.
As he steps into his role at Madhvani Group, Chalapathi Rao is expected to lead strategic financial initiatives and enhance governance practices across the group’s diverse businesses in East Africa and beyond.