As part of Internal Audit Awareness Month, we’re putting the spotlight on audit in Africa and highlighting the people that make modern GRC possible.
Meet the Auditor: Yusuf Essa
For this edition of “Meet the Auditor,” we spoke to Yusuf Essa, Functional Consultant Team Lead at Revival Holdings, about his journey from traditional audit into the world of GRC technology, the role of human connection in modern audit, and why Africa’s future in governance will rely on both innovation and adaptability.
Tell us about your role at Revival.
I’m the Functional Consultant Team Lead at Revival Holdings, where I work closely with organizations across Africa to help implement and optimize governance, risk, and compliance solutions through the Diligent One platform.
My responsibilities include:
- Leading and mentoring the Diligent One functional consulting team
- Supporting the implementation and configuration of GRC solutions
- Training and upskilling both consultants and clients on the Diligent One platform
- Performing data analytics using ACL and Python to support risk and audit initiatives
A large part of my role is helping organizations move away from manual processes toward more connected, data-driven governance practices.
What about yourself and your career path?
I began my career in the audit profession, gaining hands-on experience in assurance, controls, and risk management within a traditional audit environment. That foundation gave me valuable exposure to how organizations operate and the role governance plays in driving accountability and performance.
I later transitioned into a Risk Officer role within the insurance sector, where I was exposed to a broader view of enterprise risk and operational governance. During that time, I was introduced to the world of GRC technology through a Revival event showcasing the Diligent One platform.
What stood out to me immediately was how technology could transform the way organizations approach governance, audit, and risk management — making processes more connected, data-driven, and strategic.
That experience sparked my interest in the GRC technology space, and I decided to pursue the opportunity further. More than seven years later, I’m still passionate about helping organizations modernize and strengthen their governance environments across Africa.
What inspired you to pursue internal audit in Africa?
I am aligned to the fundamental purpose and goal of an Internal Auditor – to add value and help organizations.
What skills are most important for modern audit in Africa?
The expected answer is usually IT, and yes, those skills are important – especially as organizations across Africa continue to embrace digital transformation.
But one skill will always trump them: soft skills.
The ability to talk to people, understand them, and explain requirements clearly. No audit, no matter how automated, will succeed if the team lacks strong interpersonal skills.
What’s the most auditor thing about you outside of work?
Even if I may not fully understand every technical aspect, I always want to know what makes things tick and how they work.
What phrase does every auditor hear weekly?
It’s a painful one — I apologize for the PTSD I’m about to cause…
“It’s how it’s always been done.”
“It’s how it’s always been done.”
– The phrase auditors hate to hear
What’s the green flag that tells you an organization takes governance seriously?
When leadership focuses on resolving findings instead of negotiating them down.
How is technology changing audit in Africa?
More historical data means less guesswork and less manual effort when assessing whether governance is improving or declining.
Technology and AI are helping auditors move faster, identify trends earlier, and provide more strategic insight to the business.
Why is auditing the coolest job in the world?
You get to look behind the curtains and understand how everything really works.
As governance expectations continue to evolve across Africa, professionals like Yusuf represent the next generation of audit and GRC leaders — combining technical expertise, curiosity, and human insight to help organizations build resilience and make better decisions.
At Revival Holdings, we’re proud to support organizations across the continent with the technology, expertise, and people helping shape the future of governance, risk, and assurance.
