Hamudi Takes Helm at Baker Tilly Zimbabwe

Tax specialist Simbarashe Hamudi has been appointed country managing partner for Zimbabwe at Baker Tilly Central Africa, marking a significant leadership shift at the accounting and advisory firm and highlighting the growing role of tax expertise in corporate leadership.

The appointment, announced as part of a wider regional leadership reshuffle, and his elevation comes as businesses navigate increasingly complex tax obligations, regulatory requirements and cross-border transactions.

Hamudi said the appointment was both an honour and a responsibility, pledging to strengthen the firm’s technical capabilities, uphold professional integrity and develop local talent.

“I am grateful to the Baker Tilly Central Africa leadership and to our clients for their confidence. My focus is to build a firm that is trusted for its technical depth, integrity and responsiveness, and to develop the next generation of Zimbabwean professionals,” he said.

His appointment reflects the growing strategic importance of taxation in business decision-making, particularly in an economy where companies must manage compliance obligations while pursuing investment and expansion opportunities.

“It shows that tax and advisory expertise can sit at the centre of firm leadership. Tax is no longer a back-office compliance function; it shapes investment decisions, cross-border trade and public revenue,” Hamudi said.

He said he wanted to contribute to stronger technical standards, particularly in transfer pricing, value-added tax and income tax, while encouraging constructive engagement between taxpayers and the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA).

The appointment drew congratulations from industry professionals and the tax authority, with supporters describing it as an important milestone for the profession.

Tax expert Susan Chidembo congratulated Hamudi in a LinkedIn post, praising his hard work, commitment and leadership.

She described the appointment as a breakthrough for tax professionals and said it demonstrated that specialists from different professional backgrounds could rise to the highest levels of leadership.

“This is a proud moment for the entire tax profession and an inspiring reminder of what dedication can achieve,” Chidembo said.

ZIMRA also congratulated Hamudi, describing the appointment as an achievement for the tax profession and a testament to dedication, expertise and leadership.

“The future of tax administration is in safe hands when we have professionals who continue to break barriers and set new standards of excellence,” the authority said in a LinkedIn post.

Florida Mashonga, another tax expert, said the appointment underscored the strategic place of taxation and compliance within the accounting profession.

Hamudi brings more than a decade of experience in transfer pricing, tax law and financial analysis to the role. He leads Baker Tilly Central Africa’s tax and transfer pricing practice and advises clients on tax strategy, regulatory compliance and cross-border tax matters.

He holds qualifications in fiscal studies, international taxation, applied taxation, accounting and business administration, and is a PhD candidate in taxation at the University of Zimbabwe. He has also authored Transfer Pricing in Zimbabwe, a specialist publication on an increasingly important area of corporate taxation.

His career progression includes recognition as Young Executive of the Year at the 2024 Megafest Business Awards, where he received the national Diamond Award, according to Baker Tilly Central Africa.

Hamudi said his leadership priorities would include supporting businesses of different sizes, from small and medium-sized enterprises to large mining and manufacturing groups, with tax, audit and advisory services that enable them to grow, remain compliant and compete regionally and internationally.

He also said the firm’s international network offered an opportunity to bring global expertise into Zimbabwe while investing in the development and retention of local professionals.

“I am committed to building local talent, mentoring young chartered accountants and tax practitioners, and creating opportunities for them to lead,” he said.

The appointment forms part of Baker Tilly Central Africa’s broader leadership changes, which the firm said were intended to strengthen leadership capacity, business growth and digital transformation under its Triple 30 strategy.

Baker Tilly is a global network of independently owned and managed accountancy and business advisory firms, providing services including audit, tax, consulting and financial management.

For Zimbabwe’s accounting sector, Hamudi’s appointment signals a broader recognition of tax expertise as a source of strategic leadership, with implications for how professional services firms advise businesses facing evolving regulatory and investment demands.

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