Deloitte Africa has announced the appointment of Yomi Olugbenro as CEO-elect for Deloitte West Africa.

His appointment takes effect from 1^st June 2026. This will come after a transition period with the current CEO, Fatai Folarin, who retires at the end of May 2026.

Commenting on Yomi’s appointment, Ruwayda Redfearn, CEO of Deloitte Africa, said: “Yomi’s outstanding leadership and deep understanding of the West African market make him exceptionally well-suited to lead Deloitte West Africa into its next chapter. His appointment reflects our strong confidence in his vision and ability to steer our organisation to even greater heights. As businesses stand at the untapped edge of AI’s potential, we are committed to fostering innovation and investing in advanced technology platforms. Under Yomi’s leadership, Deloitte West Africa will work alongside clients to turn ambition into action, supporting them as they seek to embed AI at the heart of their operations and growth. I look forward to collaborating with him as we shape this exciting new chapter together.”

With over 20 years of experience, Yomi has developed in-depth knowledge in guiding organisations through complex regulatory and economic environments in West Africa. His financial expertise is complemented by several important roles held prior to his current position. In addition, he has extensive experience across industries such as banking, manufacturing, FMCG, and professional services, and has built a broad network in both the private and public sectors.

Currently, Yomi chairs the Board of Tax and Fiscal Policy Management Faculty at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.

He has contributed in numerous ways to fiscal and economic reforms in Nigeria. He has also held leadership roles in several national and professional organisations, and he brings a broad practical working knowledge of business and the economy, which supports our ability to deliver forward-thinking solutions that will shape tomorrow’s opportunities.

As a Chartered Accountant, Chartered Tax Practitioner, and Chartered Stockbroker, Yomi holds a first degree in Accounting and an MBA from Manchester Business School, UK. He has attended many executive leadership development programmes with institutions such as Lagos Business School and Harvard Business School.

Commenting on his appointment, Yomi said, “I am honoured to lead a dynamic team dedicated to serving our clients with excellence. West Africa is experiencing meaningful economic growth and is poised for technological transformation. I look forward to collaborating with our teams and stakeholders to drive long-term market growth. We will continue to harness the power of AI to drive innovation, deliver insight, and support our clients across our market to transform the future of work.”

Redfearn concluded: “The firm would like to thank Fatai for his service and contribution in building our business, our talent and brand within the West Africa region.”.