Breaking Barriers: Bydon Longwe becomes FirstRand Broader Africa CEO

For many, breaking one record is a lifetime achievement. This is not the case for Bydon Longwe, the FirstRand Broader Africa CEO and the first Zambian to hold this prestigious position. Longwe first made history as the inaugural Zambian CEO of FNB Zambia.

In a landscape where local expertise often faces scepticism, Longwe has silenced doubters by ascending to the top in Zambia and subsequently being promoted to oversee all CEOs in Africa for FirstRand, the parent company of FNB.

Born in 1973, Bydon Longwe’s early years unfolded in the Copperbelt towns of Kitwe, Chingola, and Luanshya. He attended Mpelembe Boys and Chiwala Technical schools before earning an accounting qualification from the Accountancy Training College in Chingola. Furthering his education, he acquired a qualification from the Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University.

Longwe’s career began with a firm foundation in hard work. In 1996, he joined Deloitte as a senior auditor and then moved to Botswana in 2000 to work with KPMG. His career in Botswana saw him join BancABC as Senior Finance Manager, later becoming the Chief Financial Officer for Zambia and Mozambique, and eventually the Deputy Managing Director in Zambia for three years.

In 2018, Longwe joined FNB Zambia as Chief Financial Officer and, within two years, ascended to become the first Zambian CEO of the bank in 2020. Today, he is the CEO of FirstRand Broader Africa.

FirstRand, the largest financial institution by market capitalization in Africa, encompasses a vast portfolio including FNB, RMB, Wesbank, and other brands. As CEO of FirstRand Broader Africa, Longwe oversees the operations of FNB and RMB brands across the continent, with CEOs from various African countries reporting directly to him.

Balancing such a significant role requires considerable sacrifice. As a father of four boys, Longwe ensures he dedicates time to both his professional and personal life, speaking fondly of his family commitments.

“It’s really like you’re always juggling, ensuring that your work, your family, friends, and all that is all up there. It will never balance, but you have to look out for each to ensure you watch yourself when it looks like you’re making more emphasis on one than the other,” he reflects.

A well-grounded Christian, Longwe attributes his faith as a crucial element in his personal development. He emphasizes the importance of building a strong belief system as part of maintaining balance.

When discussing his success in the corporate world, Longwe espouses a simple yet profound theory.

“I think that one of the things you need to be successful, especially in the corporate world, is to have the right to sit at the table. There are things that take you to the table that we sometimes forget,” he explains.

“If you’re an accountant and, at some point, would like to become CEO or CFO, first of all, you’ve got to be a great accountant! Just be good at what you do, and that’s the start. Being good at what you do earns you the right to be at the table. Once you’re at the table, other things start coming,” he adds.

As CEO, Longwe is committed to advancing the SME sector in Broader Africa. Recognizing the underserved nature of SMEs on the continent, he challenges himself to replicate success across Africa and aims to reflect back with pride and a sense of accomplishment in the coming year.