Legal team size: Four

Country you’re based in: Tanzania

Bio

Edwin Oscar Mhande is the head of legal and company aecretary at Guaranty Trust Bank in Tanzania, where he oversees the bank’s legal, governance, compliance, and regulatory affairs functions. With over 13 years of experience in Tanzania’s banking and financial services sector, Edwin is recognised as a strategic legal advisor and a driving force behind institutional growth.

A seasoned advocate, notary public, and commissioner for oaths, Edwin combines expertise in financial regulation with a sharp acumen for risk management. Since joining GTBank Tanzania in 2017, he has spearheaded all legal and company secretarial functions, advised on high-value transactions, and steered the Bank through critical regulatory approvals, including securing its operational license from the Bank of Tanzania. His leadership in legal strategy was instrumental in achieving the bank’s

breakeven status within four years of operations, a milestone underscoring his business-aligned approach.

As a key voice on executive committees, including the management credit, risk, legal, assets and liability, and criticised assets committees, Edwin shapes decisions on legal risk, compliance, and governance. His contributions ensure alignment between legal imperatives and the bank’s commercial objectives.

Earlier, as legal manager, civil litigation at NMB Bank PLC, Edwin transformed the bank’s legal operations. He pioneered a legal case management system to streamline litigation

tracking, launched a legal clinic project that reduced litigation cases, and restructured disciplinary committees to comply with labour laws, minimizing legal exposure.

Edwin’s academic credentials include a LL.M in Corporate and Commercial Law at University of Bagamoyo in 2017, a postgraduate diploma in Legal Practice at Law School of Tanzania in 2010 and a LL.B ar Tumaini University Dar es Salaam College in 2008.

He has further honed his expertise through programs by the Bank of Tanzania, the Law Society of South Africa, and McKinsey & Company’s Black Management Accelerator.

Active in professional circles, Edwin is a member of the Tanganyika Law Society and the East African Law Society. His thought leadership extends to published research, including analyses of informal mortgage enforcement and legal safeguards for HIV/AIDS victims in life assurance.

Named to the Legal 500 GC Powerlist: East Africa 2025, Edwin is celebrated for his integrity, innovative solutions, and dedication to elevating governance standards. Beyond his corporate role, he is passionate about mentoring emerging legal talent and advocating for robust compliance cultures across East Africa’s financial landscape.