EMPLOYABILITY
From rural roots to international leadership
Alum Ebrima Sawaneh and the power of education
From hardship to leadership, Ebrima Sawaneh’s story is one of commitment and determination that has seen him overcome adversity to become a Chief Operating Officer & Chief Financial Officer of three seaports, managing over a billion dollars of assets.
“Without doubt, I faced challenges in achieving an education,” explains Heriot-Watt alum Ebrima Sawaneh. “For every person you see at the top, there is always a story. When I was at high school I couldn’t afford to buy food, but still I took my exams. Life is rarely a straight line; everyone has their own personal zigzag.”
Determination to gain an education
Ebrima grew up in Saruja, a small rural village in The Gambia. His family were farmers, and at age eight he enrolled himself in school because he felt lonely at home. “I used to farm, drive a donkey cart, fetch firewood and play football,” he explains. “I lived with my grandmother in a compound where all the children started schooling except me. I noticed how every Friday they would return with a big pancake. So, one day, I took the bold step to join them without informing anyone!”
Ebrima progressed to secondary school but had to drop out because his parents couldn’t afford to pay for his education, however, the support of his father’s cousins enabled him to return. He went on to complete his senior school education and achieve one of the highest exam results in the country. “Nusrat Senior School was a life-changing experience for me. It was the place where I began to discover who I was and where I learned to focus,” Ebrima explains.
Financial constraints also ended his initial university ambitions in The Gambia. Looking for another way to succeed, Ebrima utilised the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) programme to build his qualifications as he worked his way up from banking cashier to eventual chartered accountant status.
He is now the group Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer at Arise Ports & Logistics, a pan-African developer of interconnected ports and logistics ecosystems. His 20+ year career in banking, logistics and ports across West and Central Africa, has seen him become an established leader recognised for his contribution to corporate finance.
Nusrat Senior School was a life-changing experience for me. It was the place where I began to discover who I was and where I learned to focus.”
Alum Ebrima Sawaneh
The MBA helped me build the strategic and financial mindset I’ve used as I progressed into senior leadership roles.”
Alum Ebrima Sawaneh
Playing a crucial role in Africa’s economic transformation
In 2025, Ebrima was named ACCA Africa CFO of the year, and won the “Corporate CFO Award” at the ACCA Africa Members Convention in Kenya. “For me, this recognition is a reminder that talent can come from anywhere,” Ebrima comments. “With the right support, opportunities, and mindset, a child from a small village can stand on a big stage.”
He was previously knighted by the Government of Côte d’Ivoire in 2022 for his role in developing the nation's second biggest port. “Your background is a starting point, not a limit,” he says. “But my recognition reflects a collective effort. It’s the teams you build and the strength of leadership around you that is crucial to success.”
Developing the right mindset through Heriot-Watt Online
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Your background is a starting point, not a limit.”
Alum Ebrima Sawaneh
Speaking on his 2025 ACCA ‘CFO of the Year’ and ‘Corporate CFO of the Year’ awards.
Ebrima was a lead speaker at the CFO Conference in The Gambia.
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