About
Andrew Obara
I am a servant of God and a friend of man, who uses his time, talent and treasure for the glory of God and the benefit of mankind.
Author, management consultant and speaker.
Author, management consultant and speaker. Twenty-five years of senior practice in banking and microfinance across Africa — and a second calling in helping people become the best version of what they can be.
Biography
The Encourager
Andrew Obara was born in Tororo, Uganda, in 1963. He holds a PhD, an MBA in Finance, a Certified Diploma in Accountancy and Finance, and a first degree in Economics.
He is the Managing Director and the brain behind FRIENDS Consult Ltd, a Ugandan management consulting firm he founded in 1997 and grew from obscurity into an ISO-certified practice with international reach — named among Uganda's Top 100 Mid-Sized Companies for nine consecutive years.
He is a well-rounded business consultant and trainer with over 25 years of practical, senior-level experience: eleven years in development and commercial banking, fifteen in consulting, and seven as Country Lead for the EIB-funded East Africa Banks Capacity Building Project.
He is also the author of Leap Forward, a highly rated book giving inspirational and practical guidance on how to become better than your dream. He is now dedicating his time to writing and to giving motivational and leadership advice, so that younger people can become the best version of what they can ever be.
A firm believer in human potential, he holds that the ability God gave us is real but unevenly harnessed — effortless for some, and for most of us in need of encouragement. He has made being that encourager his work.
At a glance
Born: Tororo, 1963
Role: MD, FRIENDS Consult
Founded: 1997
Books: 1 out, 3 in writing
Qualifications
PhD · MBA (Finance) · Certified Diploma in Accountancy & Finance · BA (Economics)
Experience
A snapshot of the work
Microfinance & financial inclusion
Senior advisor on two USAID projects. Consulted for five African governments and one Asian, and for IFAD, DFID, DANIDA, the World Bank, the EU, CGAP, GiZ and the SEEP Network — from national strategy to product development.
Banking
Eleven years in development and commercial banking; fifteen consulting on product development, executive training, strategic risk management and credit process optimisation. Country Lead, EIB East Africa Banks Capacity Building Project, 2014–2021.
Management consulting
Founded FRIENDS Consult Ltd in 1997 and grew it into an ISO-certified firm with international reach, awarded among Uganda's Top 100 Mid-Sized Companies for nine consecutive years.
Governance
First and only Board Chairman of MTN Village Phone, which he saw into MTN Uganda as a profitable company. Former Chairman of Send-A-Cow Uganda and Trustee of Send-A-Cow UK. Member of the Institute of Corporate Governance of Uganda.
Executive training
Built and delivered technical, personal-development and leadership modules for Stanbic, Centenary, Housing Finance, KCB Uganda, DFCU, Pride Bank, Britam, and Prime, NIC and Family Bank in Nairobi.
Mentorship
Over 27 years, mentored junior officers at FRIENDS Consult into Operations Director, Senior Manager and Projects Manager roles. Author of Leap Forward For Managers, a modular scheme combining training, coaching and mentoring.
Recognition
Awards & Honours
Top 100 Mid-Sized Companies Award
Awarded to FRIENDS Consult Ltd, which he founded and leads — nine years running since 2023.
Top 100 Mid-Sized Companies Award
Awarded to FRIENDS Consult Ltd, which he founded and leads — nine years running since 2023.
Top 100 Mid-Sized Companies Award
Awarded to FRIENDS Consult Ltd, which he founded and leads — nine years running since 2023.
Top 100 Mid-Sized Companies Award
Awarded to FRIENDS Consult Ltd, which he founded and leads — nine years running since 2023.
Governance
Board memberships
Present
Deposit Protection Fund of Uganda
APA Insurance Uganda
FRIENDS Consult Ltd
Past
MTN Village Phone Ltd
Chairman
Send-A-Cow Uganda
Chairman, 8 yrs
Send-A-Cow UK
Trustee, 5 yrs