KPMG Names Tola Adeyemi As One Africa CEO, Expands Governance Council

KPMG has appointed Tola Adeyemi as Chief Executive Officer of KPMG One Africa and named Professor Olayinka David-West and Dr George Njenga as independent members of its Africa Governance Council, with the changes taking effect in March 2026.

The firm said the appointments are designed to strengthen leadership capacity, deepen oversight and support a more connected operating model across African markets as clients face tighter governance demands and cross-border risk.

Adeyemi, who will lead KPMG One Africa, said the continent remains one of the most promising parts of the global economy and that the firm intends to play a meaningful role in that growth. He said he was stepping into the office at an important moment for both KPMG and African markets.

According to him, the priority will be to build on what he described as a strong and connected base, deepen collaboration among member firms and deliver consistent quality and impact across jurisdictions.

KPMG said trust remains central to audit and accounting work, especially as regulators, investors and boards demand stronger standards on ethics, governance and audit quality in both public and private institutions.

The company added that its One Africa approach is meant to align expertise across borders, improve consistency in service delivery and help clients make decisions in increasingly complex business and regulatory environments.

Professor Ben Marx, Chairman of the Africa Governance Council, said Adeyemi is well positioned for the role because of his continental credibility and his global perspective as a member of the KPMG Global Council.

Marx said the two new independent council members bring additional depth to board-level governance through academic strength and practical strategic experience. He said their entry would reinforce accountability and leadership depth within the Africa structure.

The governance council functions as an oversight body within KPMG’s Africa operations, and the latest additions are expected to support independent review, policy discipline and long-term institutional confidence.

Professor David-West and Dr Njenga are joining at a time when firms operating across Africa are being pressed to show stronger governance architecture, clearer risk controls and measurable leadership succession plans.

By combining executive transition with expanded independent oversight, KPMG is signalling that growth strategy on the continent will be tied closely to governance credibility. The firm said the broader leadership framework, including in-country managing partners and regional senior partners, will continue to support a client-focused model while improving coordination across markets.

With implementation set for March 2026, the appointments place Adeyemi and the reconstituted governance council at the centre of KPMG’s next phase in Africa, where competition, compliance pressure and demand for reliable advisory and assurance services are all increasing.