Pathways to Sustainable Finance
"Trajectoires vers la Finance Durable"
2023 International Forum of the Sustainable Banking and Finance Network
8-9 May 2023 – Krystal Palace Hotel, Douala, Cameroon
Nearly 200 participants from over 20 African countries joined the 2023 SBFN International Forum in Douala, Cameroon, co-hosted with the Bank of Central African States, BEAC.
The Forum was a great occasion to confirm SBFN’s commitment to support BEAC’s sustainable finance journey and to build capacity of SBFN members and other financial sector institutions on the continent.
Day 1 (En | Fr) was dedicated to SBFN members and other interested financial sector regulators and industry associations. It included two training sessions on sustainable finance roadmaps and sustainable finance instruments.
SBFN used this occasion to launch SBFN Toolkit: Developing Sustainable Finance Roadmaps. The Toolkit combines existing sources, emerging trends, and lessons from SBFN members into a practical easy-to-use guide to help countries design and operationalize sustainable finance roadmaps.
Day 2 (En | Fr) was filled with discussions about regional trends and innovations in sustainable finance, multi-stakeholder approaches to creating the regional vision, as well as exchanges about lessons learnt from SBFN members and other African countries.
Click on the green bars or (+) symbol to expand the agenda for each day
| 8:00 – 9:00 | Registration & coffee |
| 9:00 – 9:10 | Welcome and Introductions (IFC and BEAC) |
| 9:10 – 10:00 | SBFN Introduction and Tour de Table (Rong Zhang, SBFN Global Coordinator) |
| 10:00 – 12.30 | Training on SBFN “Developing Sustainable Finance Roadmaps” Toolkit by SBFN Secretariat |
| 12.30 – 14:00 | Lunch |
| 14:00 – 16:30 | Training by IFC on “Creating Markets for Sustainable Finance instruments” |
| 16:30 – 17:00 | Closing Remarks and Certificates Presentation Martine Valcin, Manager Advisory, Knowledge and Learning) |
| 17:00 – 17:10 | Group photo with training participants |
| 8:00 – 9:00 | Registration of participants |
| 9:00 – 9:05 | Welcome and Announcements |
| 9:05 – 9:20 | Welcome Remarks by BEAC Governor, Mr. Abbas Mahamat Tolli |
| 9:20 – 9:30 | Welcome Remarks by IFC Director for Central Africa, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone, Dahlia Khalifa |
| 9:30 – 10:30 | High-level panel discussion: A vision for sustainable finance in the Central African Economic and Monetary Community Moderator: Mr. Michel Dzombala, Vice- Governor, BEAC
|
| 10.30 – 11:45 | Panel discussion: Trends that define sustainable finance in Africa Moderator: Ms. Mary Porter Peschka, Director, Sustainability and Gender Solutions, IFC
Q&APanelists – Panel 2 |
| 11:45 – 12:00 | Transition / break |
| 12:00 – 13:15 | Panel discussion: Lessons from Adoption of Sustainable Finance in Emerging Markets and Developing Economies Moderator: Ms. Martine Valcin, Global Manager, ESG Advisory, Knowledge and Learning, IFC
Q&APanelists – Panel 3 |
| 13:15 – 14:45 | Group picture & lunch |
| 14:45 – 16:15 | Developing a Sustainable Finance Initiative/Roadmap for the Central African Economic and Monetary Community Moderator: Mr. Jean-Claude Nguemeni, Director of Multilateral Surveillance, CEMAC
|
| 16:15 – 16:35 | Reflections on Day 2 discussions
|
| 16:35 – 16:45 | Closing Remarks
|
| 8:00 – 9:00 | Inscription et café pour les membres actuels et potentiels du réseau, les institutions partenaires et les autres régulateurs du secteur financier et les associations de l’industrie financière intéressées. |
| 9:00 – 9:10 | Mot de bienvenue et introduction (BEAC et IFC) |
| 9:10 – 10:00 | Vue d’ensemble du SBFN et tour de table, accueil des nouveaux et potentiels membres |
| 10:00 – 12.30 | Formation sur la nouvelle boîte à outils du SBFN “Développer des feuilles de route nationales pour la finance durable”. |
| 12.30 – 14:00 | Déjeuner |
| 14:00 – 16:30 | Formation par l’IFC sur “Créer des marchés pour les instruments de finance durable”. |
| 16:30 – 17:00 | Conclusion et remise des certificats de participation |
| 17:00 – 17 :10 | Photo de groupe avec les participants aux sessions de formation |
| 8:00 – 9:00 | Enregistrement des participants |
| 9:00 – 9:05 | Mot de bienvenue et annonces du maître de cérémonie |
| 9:05 – 9:20 | Allocution de bienvenue du Gouverneur de la BEAC, M. Abbas Mahamat Tolli |
| 9:20 – 9:30 | Allocution de bienvenue de la représentante de la SFI, Mme Dahlia Khalifa, Directrice Régionale pour l’Afrique Centrale, le Libéria, le Nigeria et la Sierra Leone |
| 9:30 – 10:30 | Discussion de haut niveau : Une vision pour une finance durable dans la Communauté Economique et Monétaire de l’Afrique Centrale Modérateur: M. Michel Dzombala, Vice-Gouverneur de la BEAC
Echange avec les participantsPanelistes – Panel 1 |
| 10.30 – 11:45 | Panel d’experts : Tendances qui définissent la finance durable en Afrique Modérateur: Mme Mary Porter Peschka, Directrice du Département Environnement, Social, Gouvernance (ESG) et Genre, SFI
Questions/réponsesPanelistes – Panel 2 |
| 11:45 – 12:00 | Transition / Pause |
| 12:00 – 13:15 | Discussion avec les institutions membres du SBFN : Leçons de l’adoption de la finance durable dans les marchés émergents et pays en développement Modérateur: Mme Martine Valcin, Directrice mondiale, Conseil ESG, Connaissance et Apprentissage, SFI
Questions/réponsesPanelistes – Panel 3 |
| 13:15 – 14:45 | Photo de groupe et déjeuner |
| 14:45 – 16:15 | Elaboration d’une initiative /feuille de route de finance durable pour la Communauté Economique et Monétaire de l’Afrique Centrale Modérateur: M. Jean-Claude NGUEMENI , Directeur de la Surveillance Multilatérale de la CEMAC
Echange avec les participantsPanelistes – Panel 4 |
| 16:15 – 16:35 | Réflexions sur les discussions de la 2ème journée
|
| 16:35 – 16:45 | Mots de clôture
|
GALLERY (GALERIE)Back to top (Haut de page)
May 9 – Signing ceremony
(Left to right) Dahlia Khalifa, IFC Director for Central Africa, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone, Mary Porter Peschka, IFC Director of Sustainability and Gender Solutions, and Abbas Mahamat Tolli, Governor of BEAC signed the Memorandum of Understanding between IFC and BEAC and the Membership Confirmation letter welcoming BEAC into SBFN
May 9 – High-level meeting between IFC and BEAC
(Left to right) Mahamat Ousman Aboubakar , Bertrand Besse Ngniah , Carlos-Damian Baca Eboro, Rong Zhang, Martine Valcin, Abbas Mahamat Tolli, Dahlia Khalifa, Danielle Guiakam Kamche, Caroline Idrissou Belingar, Mary Porter Peschka, Jean Calvin Abela, Vsevolod Payevskiy
May 9 – International experts share their views in the panel discussion: Trends that define sustainable finance in Africa
(Left to right): Ulufonso Somoring, African Development Bank, Mary Porter Peschka, IFC, Charlotte Waldraff , GIZ, Mahamadi Balima, Capital Market Authority of the West Africa Monetary Union, Tusekelege Mwaikasu Joune, Tanzania Bankers’ Association, and Riccardo Ambrosini, IFC.
May 9 – SBFN members discuss their experience in the panel discussion: Lessons from Adoption of Sustainable Finance in Emerging Markets and Developing Economies
(Left to right) Yasser Mounsif – Capital Market Authority of Morocco, Dr Habil Olaka- Kenya Bankers Association, Martine Valcin- IFC, Yaseen Lockhat- Banking Association of South Africa, Joseph Kuma- Bank of Ghana
Abbas Mahamat TolliEnglish Translation
Gouverneur, Banque des Etats de l’Afrique Centrale (BEAC)
Installé en tant que Gouverneur de la Banque des Etats de l’Afrique Centrale depuis mars 2017, Monsieur ABBAS MAHAMAT TOLLI est né le 04 juin 1972 à Abéché, en République du Tchad. Il est un haut cadre de nationalité tchadienne, ayant une grande expérience du service public et doté de grandes qualités de meneur d’hommes. Au cours de son riche parcours, il a occupé de nombreuses fonctions de premier plan, tant auprès de l’Administration de son pays qu’au niveau de la Sous-région CEMAC.
Au terme des études supérieures, notamment à l’Ecole Nationale d’Administration (ENA) de Paris et à l’Université du Québec, Monsieur ABBAS MAHAMAT TOLLI intègre l’Administration Publique tchadienne où, par son travail, ses compétences et ses qualités personnelles, il connait une brillante ascension professionnelle. C’est ainsi qu’en 2001, il est appelé pour servir au sein du Ministère des Finances en tant que Directeur des Douanes et Droits Indirects, et qu’en 2003, il assume la lourde charge de Directeur du Cabinet Civil du Président de la République du Tchad. A partir de 2004, un nouveau temps fort va rythmer la vie professionnelle de ce haut commis de l’Etat. Monsieur ABBAS MAHAMAT TOLLI intègre le Gouvernement de son pays en qualité de Secrétaire d’Etat aux finances à l’âge de 32 ans. Puis, de 2005 à 2008, il occupe tour à tour les fonctions de Ministre des Finances, de Ministre de l’Economie, des Finances et du Plan, et de Ministre des Finances et de l’Informatique.
Muni de cette riche expérience sur le plan national axée sur les questions économiques, Monsieur ABBAS MAHAMAT TOLLI élargit son champ d’action à l’espace communautaire. En 2008, il est appelé à intégrer pour le compte du Tchad le tout nouveau Gouvernement de la BEAC à six (6) membres pour y occuper la fonction de Secrétaire Général. En 2011, alors que son pays engageait d’importants chantiers pour se doter en infrastructures modernes, il est rappelé chez lui pour se voir confier les rênes du Département ministériel au cœur de cette vision, à savoir le Ministère des Infrastructures et Equipements. A partir de 2012, la Communauté lui fait de nouveau appel. Il se voit tout d’abord confier le mandat de Secrétaire Général de la Commission Bancaire de l’Afrique Central (COBAC), ensuite en 2015, il occupe le poste de Président de la Banque de Développement des Etats de l’Afrique Centrale (BDEAC).
Depuis février 2017, le Gouverneur préside aux destinées de la Banque Centrale. En cette qualité, il assume aussi les fonctions de Président de la Commission Bancaire d’Afrique Centrale et de Président du Comité de Politique Monétaire de la BEAC. Il parle couramment plusieurs langues, dont l’arabe, le français et l’anglais.
Governor, the Bank of Central African States (BEAC)
The Governor of the Bank of Central African States since March 2017, Mr. Abbas Mahamat Tolli was born on June 4, 1972 in Abéché, in the Republic of Chad. He is a senior executive with extensive experience in public service and great leadership skills. During his rich career, he has held many leadership positions, both in the administration of his country, Chad, and at the level of the CEMAC region.
After completing his higher education at the Ecole Nationale d’Administration (ENA) in Paris and the University of Quebec, Mr Tolli joined the Chadian public administration where, through his work, skills and qualities, he quickly grew professionally. In 2001, he was requested to serve within the Ministry of Finance as Director of Customs and Indirect Duties, and in 2003, he assumed the responsibilities of Director of the Civil Cabinet of the President of the Republic of Chad.
In 2004, at the age of 32, Mr Tolli joined the Government as the Secretary of State for Finance. Between 2005 and 2008, he held positions successively of the Minister of Finance, Minister of Economy, Finance and Planning, and Minister of Finance and Information Technologies.
Building on his rich experience at national level focused on economic issues, Mr Tolli proceeded to broaden his engagement in the region. In 2008, he was asked to join the newly established Government of BEAC as the Secretary General. In 2011, as Chad was undertaking major infrastructure modernization projects, Mr Tolli was appointed to lead the Ministry of Infrastructure and Equipment. In 2012 he returned to work at the level of the CEMAC region as the Secretary General of the Central African Banking Commission (COBAC), after which in 2015 he held the position of President of the Development Bank of Central African States (BDEAC).
Since February 2017, the Governor has presided over the future of BEAC. In this capacity, he also serves as the Chairman of COBAC and BEAC Monetary Policy Committee.
Mr. Tolli is fluent in several languages, including Arabic, French and English.
Caroline IdrissouEnglish Translation
Directrice Centrale, BEAC
De nationalité tchadienne, Caroline IDRISSOU est titulaire d’un Master en Gestion et Administration des Entreprises obtenu à l’IAE-Faculté d’Economie et de Gestion à Orléans (France) et capitalise 25 années d’expérience au sein de la BEAC où elle a occupé plusieurs fonctions. Sa formation initiale a été complétée par diverses formations dispensées par des Instituts tels que l’Institut du FMI ou encore l’IBFI de la Banque de France.
Elle a été successivement Chef de service du Crédit et du Marché Monétaire, Chef de service du Crédit et de la Centrale des Risques, Chargée de Département à la Direction Générale de l’Exploitation, Chef ide Département du Contrôle Interne au Secrétariat Général de la BEAC.
Elle a eu principalement à travailler sur divers projets tels que la Centrale des Bilans, la mise en place du marché des Titres publics en zone CEMAC, l’implémentation du contrôle interne au sein de la BEAC ou encore l’élaboration de manuels de procédures.
Elle est depuis juin 2019 Directrice Centrale en charge de la Stabilité Financière, des Activités Bancaires et du Financement des Economies. Les principales missions incombant à la Direction dont elle a la charge sont notamment la mise en œuvre de la politique monétaire, assurer la surveillance des risques pesant sur la stabilité financière, la centralisation de l’information financière et l’élaboration de la stratégie régionale d’inclusion financière.
Director, BEAC
A Chadian national, Ms Idrissou holds a Masters degree in Management and Business Administration from IAE- Faculty of Economics and Management in Orléans, France. Ms Idrissou has 25 years of experience within BEAC where she has held various positions. Her academic curriculum was complemented by additional training courses by institutions such as the IMF and the International Banking and Finance Institute of the Bank of France.
In her previous positions, Ms Idrissou performed functions including Head of the Credit and Money Market department, Head of the Credit and Central Risk department, Head of Department at the General Directorate of Operation, and Head of Internal Control at the General Secretariat of BEAC. She worked on various projects, such as the Balance Sheet Centre, the establishment of the public securities market in CEMAC, the implementation of internal controls within BEAC, and the development of procedure manuals.
Since 2019, Ms Idrissou has been the Director in charge of financial stability, banking activities, and financing of the economy. Her directorate’s mandate include the implementation of monetary policy, risk monitoring and financial stability, centralization of financial information, and the development of the regional strategy for financial inclusion.
Charlotte Waldraff
Advisor, Sustainable Finance
Charlotte Waldraff is an advisor in GIZ’s Financial Systems Development program, specializing in sustainable finance policy development and the intersection between finance and nature.
Since joining GIZ in 2020, she has advised the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) on sustainable finance and supported sustainable finance projects in Viet Nam, Indonesia, and Peru.
Previously, she worked in London for BNP Paribas’ Foreign Exchange and Local Markets division, covering European institutional investors. Charlotte holds a BA in Economics from Cambridge University and an MA in European History and Politics from Columbia University.
Danielle Buduku-Latha English Translation
Secrétaire Générale, Commission de Surveillance du Marché Financier de l’Afrique Central (COSUMAF)
Danielle est avocate, diplômée en droit des affaires et fiscalité de l’Université Bordeaux IV et diplômée de l’INSEC Bordeaux en Banque Assurance.
Après sa prestation de serment auprès de la Cour d’Appel de Bordeaux, Mme Bunduku-Latha intègre des cabinets d’avocats à Paris ou elle est formée en fiscalité, droit des sociétés, fusion acquisition et en marché financier.
Elle rejoint l’Afrique Centrale en 2011 en intégrant la COSUMAF ou elle participe activement au développement de la place boursière d’abord en qualité de juriste puis en qualité de Chef de Cabinet du Président de l’institution.
Mme Bunduku-Latha est actuellement Secrétaire Générale de la Commission de Surveillance du Marché Financier de l’Afrique Centrale.
Secretary General, Securities and Exchange Commission of Central Africa (COSUMAF)
Danielle is a lawyer, a Business Law and Taxation graduate from Bordeaux IV University and a Bank and Insurance graduate from INSEC Bordeaux.
After her admission to the Court of Appeal of Bordeaux, Ms Bunduku-Latha joined various law firms in Paris, where she was trained in taxation, corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, and financial markets.
She returned to Central Africa to join COSUMAF in 2011, where she actively participated in the development of the stock market, first as a lawyer and then as the Chief of Staff to the President of COSUMAF.
Ms Banduku-Latha currently serves as the Secretary General of COSUMAF.
Danielle Guiakam K. Nguela
Deputy Director, BEAC
Danielle GUIAKAM K. NGUELA is Deputy Director in charge of Middle-Office in the Financial Operations Department at the Central Bank for Central African States (Banque des Etats de l’Afrique Centrale – BEAC) in Yaoundé. She leads a team in charge of implementing the risk management framework for foreign exchange reserves management and local currency portfolio. Her team also suggests recommendations on risk limits to the Investment Committee. Besides, she is part of the team in charge of developing sustainable finance in the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC).
During her 17 years at the Central Bank, she worked on settlements, cash management, and accounting within the Back-Office team. She also monitored operations and transactions between CEMAC member countries and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Danielle holds a Capital Markets Graduate Certificate from George Washington University, a Master’s degree in Legal and Financial engineering from Université de Rennes 1 – Institut de Gestion de Rennes, in France, and a National Diploma in Financial Management and Accounting from Ecole Nationale de Commerce et de Gestion d’Agadir, in Morocco.
She speaks French (native) and English (proficient user) and is passionate about traveling
Eugène Cisse KouohEnglish Translation
Président, Association Professionnelle des Sociétés de Gestion de Portefeuille d’Afrique Centrale (ASGPAC)
Diplômé en Banque et Finances Internationales, Eugène CISSE KOUOH totalise plus de 15 années d’expérience sur les marchés financiers subsahariens (Cameroun, Nigéria et Côte D’Ivoire). Sa carrière a débuté au sein de la Salle des Marchés de la Standard Chartered Bank Cameroun où il a successivement travaillé en que Trader sur le marché des changes et produits dérivés ainsi que dans le domaine de la gestion Actif Passif (ALM).
Recruté par la filiale d’Attijariwafa bank en charge de la gestion OPCVM en CEMAC (ASCA Asset Management) en 2016, il est promu au poste de Directeur de Gestion en 2018 et en 2020 au poste de Directeur Général. Actuellement, il est le Président de l’Association Professionnelle des Sociétés de Gestion de Portefeuille d’Afrique Centrale (ASGPAC).
President, Professional Association of Asset Management Companies in Central Africa (ASGPAC)
A graduate in international banking and finance, Mr Cisse Kouoh has more than 15 years of experience in financial markets in Sub-Saharan Africa, specifically Cameroon, Ivory Coast, and Nigeria. His career started on the trading floor of Standard Chartered Bank Cameroon, where he worked as a trader on foreign exchange and derivatives, and in the field of Asset Liability Management (ALM).
In 2016, Mr Cisse Kouoh joined the subsidiary of Attijariwafa Bank, where he managed collective investment schemes within CEMAC (ASCA Asset Management). In 2018 he was promoted to the position of Managing Director and in 2020 he became the Director General.
He is currently the President of the Professional Association of Asset Management Companies in Central Africa (ASGPAC).
Habil Olaka
Chief Executive Officer, Kenya Bankers Association (KBA)
Dr. Olaka was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Bankers Association (KBA) in October 2010. He is responsible for the strategic direction of the Association, covering industry advocacy, development, and sustainability.
Previously he was the Director of Operations of the East African Development Bank (EADB) based in Kampala after serving as the Resident Manager in Kenya. He earlier served the Bank as the Head of Risk Management and as the Chief Internal Auditor.
Before joining the Bank, he had been with Banque Indosuez (now Bank of Africa) as the Internal Auditor. He started his career at the PricewaterhouseCoopers, Nairobi in the Audit and Business Advisory Services Division. He sits on a number of boards representing the KBA. These are Kenya Deposit Insurance Corporation (KDIC), Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), National Research Fund (NRF), Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE), and the Anti-Money Laundering Advisory Board (AMLAB) as alternate to KBA Chairman.
He is the National President of the Federation of Kenya Employers and the Chairman of the board of the Centre for Corporate Governance (CCG). He also sits on the board of the National Housing Corporation (NHC).
He holds a Doctor of Business Administration from USIU-Africa, a First-Class Honours BSc degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Nairobi, and an MBA in Finance from the Manchester Business School in the UK. His DBA dissertation was on the influence of strategic leadership on the implementation of strategy in the commercial banks in Kenya.
He is a member of the Institute of the Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK). He is an alumnus of the Strathmore School of Accountancy, a Certified Executive Coach and has a good command of the French language.
Jean-Claude Nguemeni
Directeur, CEMACEnglish Translation
Jean-Claude est Directeur de la Surveillance Multilatérale de la CEMAC depuis mai 2017. Avant l’occupation de ce poste, il a été Chef de Cabinet du Commissaire de la CEMAC en charge des Politiques Economique, Monétaire et Financière de février 2013 à octobre 2017, fonction au cours de laquelle il a joué un rôle important dans la mise en place du nouveau dispositif de surveillance multilatérale de la CEMAC, entré en vigueur en janvier 2017, et intégrant une règle d’épargne financière sur ressources pétrolières avec pour visée d’amener l’ensemble des Etats membres de la CEMAC à la mise en œuvre de politiques budgétaires contra-cycliques.
Il est aussi Chef de Mission de la Surveillance Multilatérale pour divers pays de la CEMAC depuis janvier 2015 et a une très grande expérience dans l’élaboration des Cadres de politiques macroéconomiques pour les pays riches en ressources naturelles. Du fait de sa fonction actuelle, il coordonne sur le plan technique entre autres l’élaboration du Document des Grandes Orientations des Politiques Economiques (GOPE) des Etats membres et des Institutions Régionales de la CEMAC qui est produit selon une périodicité annuelle.
Avant son entrée à la CEMAC, il a exercé entre août 2010 et janvier 2013 à la Division des Analyses et des Politiques Economiques du Ministère de l’Economie, de la Planification et de l’Aménagement du Territoire de la République du Cameroun au cours duquel il a occupé la fonction de Chargé d’Etudes Assistant n°1 à la Cellule de la Politique Economique d’octobre 2012 à janvier 2013.
Il a une formation de base en Mathématiques et est Ingénieur Statisticien Economiste.
Jean-Claude has been the Director of Multilateral Surveillance of CEMAC since May 2017. Before taking up this position, Mr Nguemeni was Chief of Staff of the CEMAC Commissioner in charge of Economic, Monetary, and Fiscal Policies from February 2013 to October 2017. In this position, he played an important role in setting up the new CEMAC multilateral surveillance system, which came into force in January 2017, and includes a rule of financial savings on oil resources to support CEMAC states to implement counter-cyclical budgetary policies. Since January 2015 Mr Nguemeni is also the Head of Multilateral Surveillance Mission for various CEMAC countries.
Mr Nguemeni has extensive experience in the development of macroeconomic policy frameworks for natural resources- rich countries. In his current position, he coordinates, among other things, the development of the Document of Economic Policies Directions (Document des Grandes Orientations des Politiques Economiques, GOPE) of the Member States and Regional Institutions of CEMAC, which is produced on an annual basis.
Between August 2010 and January 2013, before joining CEMAC, he worked at the Economic Analysis and Policy Division of the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Regional Development of the Republic of Cameroon. During this time he also held a position of Assistant Researcher (Chargé d’Etudes Assistant n°1) in the Economic Policy Unit from October 2012 to January 2013.
Mr Nguemeni has a background in mathematics and is an engineer specialized in statistics and economics.
Jean Paterne Megne EkogaEnglish Translation
Vice Président, BDEAC
Jean Paterne MEGNE EKOGA est ingénieur en génie polytechnicien et économiste des transports. Il a également suivi un cursus en gestion financière et en comptabilité OHADA. Il dispose d’une expérience professionnelle de 25 ans, dont 18 ans dans le financement du développement en Afrique.
Vice-Président de la Banque de Développement des Etats de l’Afrique Centrale depuis le 31 mars 2023, il a été Directeur des Opérations de cette Institution pendant 6 ans. Avant de rejoindre la BDEAC en octobre 2017, il a travaillé entre autres à la Banque Africaine de Développement (BAD) comme Economiste des Transports Senior. Il y a conduit ou participé à l’évaluation de nombreux projets d’infrastructures de transport en République Démocratique du Congo, Congo, Tchad, Niger, Togo, Burkina Faso, Rwanda, Burundi, Comores, Madagascar, Maroc et Cameroun.
Spécialiste en structuration des financements, il a participé à la redynamisation du Fonds de Développement de la Communauté (FODEC) et à la mise en place du Fonds Bleu pour le Bassin du Congo (F2BC). Il a par ailleurs coordonné les opérations de mobilisation des ressources financières au sein de la BDEAC. Il est Chevalier de l’Ordre National de la Valeur de la République du Cameroun et Docteur Honoris Causa de London Graduate School and Commonwealth University.
Vice-President, Development Bank of Central Africa (BDEAC)
Jean Paterne Megne Ekoga is an engineer in polytechnic engineering and a transport economist. He also completed a curriculum in financial management and OHADA accounting. He has 25 years of professional experience, including 18 years in development finance in Africa.
The Vice-President of the Development Bank of Central African States (BDEAC) since March 31, 2023, he was the Director of Operations of BDEAC for 6 years.
Before joining BDEAC in October 207, Mr Megne Ekoga worked among others at the African Development Bank (AfDB) as Senior Transport Economist. He led or participated in the evaluation of numerous transport infrastructure projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of the Congo, Chad, Niger, Togo, Burkina Faso, Rwanda, Burundi, Comoros, Madagascar, Morocco, and Cameroon.
A specialist in structured financing, Mr Megne Ekoga participated in the revitalization of the Community Development Fund (FODEC) and the establishment of the Blue Fund for Congo Basin (F2BC). He also coordinated financial resource mobilization within BDEAC.
He is a Knight of the National Order of Valor of the Republic of Cameroon and was awarded an honorary doctorate from the London Graduate School and Commonwealth University.
Jean Robert Obiang ObiangEnglish Translation
Président, Fédération des Associations Professionnelles des Etablissements de Microfinance de la CEMAC
Né le 4 décembre 1983 à Oyem au Gabon, Jean Robert est diplômé de l’Université Omar Bongo où il a obtenu un master en banque finance assurance et prépare actuellement un doctorat (DBA) à Paris School of Business. Il commence sa carrière à la BICIG comme stagiaire où il ne restera que six (6) mois. En décembre 2009, il rejoint l’institution de microfinance Epargne & Développement du Gabon (EDG) SA pour le lancement de ses activités.
Il travaille pour l’obtention de l’agrément de l’établissement et porte deux projets majeurs de l’institution comme l’acquisition du siège social et la domiciliation des fonctionnaires.
En 2014, il est nommé Directeur Général Adjoint puis, trois ans plus tard, en septembre 2017, Administrateur-Directeur Général. Le jeune réformateur gabonais intègre l’Association professionnelle des établissements de microfinance du Gabon (APEMF-Gabon) en 2018 comme Vice-Président et porte avec succès le projet de la convention collective du secteur de la microfinance au Gabon.
En mars 2021, il devient le premier Président de la Fédération des Associations Professionnelles des Etablissements de Microfinance de la CEMAC (FAPEMAC) et défend plusieurs projets majeurs pour le secteur de la microfinance auprès des plus hautes autorités régionales comme l’ouverture des comptes des EMF à la BEAC.
Il est également Ambassadeur du Groupe de Travail Thématique sur le renforcement de capacité des acteurs pour l’élaboration de la Stratégie Régionale d’Inclusion Financière (SRIF) de la CEMAC.
President, Federation of Associations of Microfinance Institutions of CEMAC (FAPEMAC)
Born on December 4, 1983 in Oyem, Gabon, Jean Robert Obiang Obiang is a graduate of Omar Bongo University where he obtained a Master’s degree in Banking, Finance and Insurance. Mr Obiang Obiang is currently enrolled in Doctorate of Business Administration at Paris School of Business.
Mr Obiang Obiang started his career at BICIG, where he undertook a 6-months internship.
In December 2009, he joined a newly established microfinance institution Epargne & Developpement Gabon SA (EDG). He secured the necessary accreditations for the institution, and led two major projects, including the acquisition of the headquarters and domiciliation of the organization’s officials.
In 2014, Mr Obiang Obiang was appointed Deputy Managing Director, and three years later in 2017, Chairman-Managing Director.
As a young reformer, he joined the Professional Association of Microfinance Institutions of Gabon (APEMF-Gabon) in 2018 as a Vice-President, where he successfully led the establishment of a collective agreement for the microfinance sector in Gabon.
In March 2021, he became the first President of the Federation of Associations of Microfinance Institutions of CEMAC (FAPEMAC), where he has led key projects with the highest regional authorities, such as the opening of microfinance institutions accounts at BEAC.
Mr Obiang Obiang serves as the ambassador of the Thematic Working Group on capacity building of stakeholders for the development of CEMAC’s Regional Financial Inclusion Strategy (SRIF).
Joseph Kuma
Director, Bank of Ghana
Joseph is currently the Director of the Project Management Office at the Bank of Ghana and also chairs the Internal Sustainability Committee at the Central Bank.
He was previously a Senior Country Officer at the International Finance Corporation. Prior to that, he also worked for 10 years as Bank Supervisor at the Bank of Ghana.
Mahamadi Balima
Head of Sustainable Finance (AMF – UMOA)
Financial markets and green finance specialist, Mahamadi has more than 15 years of professional experience in capital market, corporate finance, equity valuation, mergers and acquisitions, structured finance, sustainable finance, blended finance, impact investment with a deep knowledge of WAMU financial market regulations.
Currently, as the Head of Sustainable Finance, he has actively participated in establishment of green, social, and sustainable bonds framework in WAMU capital market in line with the green bonds principles of the International Capital Markets Association (ICMA) and Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI) standard. Mahamadi and his team, work for greening economies to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of WAEMU countries.
Mahamadi holds a master’s degree in Econometrics from the University of Toulouse Capitol and master’s degree in Finance from KEDGE Business School. He is a CFA Chartholder and obtained a certification in Sustainable Finance and Investment from the Yale School of Management (SOM).
Martine Valcin
Global Manager, Corporate Governance / ESG Advisory, Knowledge and Learning in the Sustainability and Gender Solutions Department, International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Based in Washington DC, USA, Martine is responsible for global corporate governance investment risk management, the delivery of ESG advisory solutions, knowledge support to IFC staff and clients on best-in-class ESG risk management, and ESG-related technology and tools portfolio.
She also leads ESG capacity-building initiatives globally over various issues such as disclosure and transparency, sustainable finance, corporate governance for small-medium enterprises and women in business leadership.
She joined IFC in 2019 from Canada’s Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP), where she held the role of Senior Director, Responsible Investment, inaugurating and leading the integration of ESG factors for PSP’s global public equities and bonds portfolio. Before joining PSP in 2016, Martine worked at Toronto Stock Exchange for fifteen years, where she held roles of increasing responsibilities.
In her last role as Director, Listed Issuer Services, she led a multi-disciplinary team of professionals tasked with listing companies and reviewing Canada’s principal stock exchange corporate finance transactions.
Martine is a McGill University graduate and holds a Master of Industrial Relations from Queen’s University and an M.B.A (Finance) from École des Hautes Études Commerciales (HEC) in Montreal.
Mary Porter Peschka
Director – Sustainability & Gender Solutions, International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Mary is Director of the Sustainability (ESG) & Gender Solutions Department at the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
In addition, Mary is co-chair of the OECD-FAO Advisory Group on Responsible Agricultural Supply Chains; a member of the IFC-ILO Better Work Management Committee; and a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on the Future of the Care Economy.
Mary, a United States national, joined IFC in 2004. Prior to her current role at IFC, Mary was the Director of the Global Advisory Solutions Department. She also previously served as Regional Head of Advisory Services in Latin America & the Caribbean, and Regional Head of Sustainable Business Advisory in the Middle East & North Africa. Before joining IFC, Mary held various positions in the public and private sectors, including Market Access International, an economic development consulting firm; St. Genevieve Group, a group of international mining companies; and the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
Mary holds a BA from George Washington University, an MSc from the London School of Economics, and an MBA from the University of Oxford.
Maurice Christian OuanzinEnglish Translation
Secrétaire Général, Commission Bancaire de l’Afrique Centrale (COBAC)
Maurice Christian OUANZIN est le Secrétaire Général de la Commission Bancaire de l’Afrique Centrale (COBAC) depuis le 24 février 2022, après avoir rempli la fonction de Secrétaire Général Adjoint pendant près de 7 ans.
Avant d’exercer ces importantes responsabilités de l’organe de supervision bancaire de la Communauté Economique et Monétaire de l’Afrique Centrale (CEMAC), il a eu une longue et riche carrière de près de 30 ans au sein de la Banque des Etats de l’Afrique Centrale (BEAC), où il a occupé successivement les fonctions de Chef de service, Adjoint au directeur et Directeur central.
Maurice Christian est détenteur d’un doctorat et d’un DEA en sciences de gestion, de 2 DESS en « contrôle de gestion et pratique de l’organisation » et en « administration des entreprises », ainsi que d’une maîtrise en science économiques, obtenus respectivement à l’Institut Régional de Gestion de l’université de Bordeaux 1 et à l’université d’Orléans.
Secretary General, Central African Banking Commission (COBAC)
Mr Ouanzin has been the Secretary General of the Central African Banking Commission (COBAC) since February 24, 2022, after having served as the Deputy Secretary General for nearly 7 years.
Before taking on these important responsibilities in the banking supervisory body of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC), Mr Ouanzin had a long and rich career of nearly 30 years at the Bank of Central African States (BEAC), where he successively held the positions of the Head of Department, Deputy Director and Director.
Mr Ouanzin holds a doctorate and a DEA (Diplome d’Etudes Approfondies) in Management Sciences, two specialized graduate diplomas (DESS) in management control and organizational practice, and business administration, as well as a master’s degree in economics obtained from the Regional Institute of Management of the University of Bordeaux 1 and the University of Orleans.
Michel DzombalaEnglish Translation
Vice-Gouverneur, BEAC
Michel est l’actuel Vice-Gouverneur de la Banque des Etats de l’Afrique centrale (BEAC). Il a été nommé à ce poste le 17 mars 2023, par les chefs d’Etat de la Communauté économique et monétaire de l’Afrique centrale (CEMAC), réunis à Yaoundé (Cameroun) au cours de leur 15ème session ordinaire.
Il est détenteur d’un Diplôme d’études approfondies (DEA) en économie monétaire, d’un Master en finances et d’un Diplôme d’études supérieures (DES) de l’Institut Technique de Banque (ITB) de paris (France). Il a, à son actif, plus de 33 ans de Banque centrale en passant notamment par le Siege, à Yaoundé (Cameroun), ou il a occupé plusieurs postes de Directeur central (investissement et patrimoine ; systèmes et moyens de paiement ; informatique et télécommunications ; études et stabilité financière) ; et au Congo, ou il a été Directeur national pendant 5 ans (2017-2022), avant de rejoindre la Commission Bancaire de l’Afrique centrale (COBAC), comme Secrétaire général adjoint.
M. Dzombala a, entre autres, participé activement aux travaux de réforme de la politique monétaire de la BEAC.
Vice-Governor, BEAC
Michel is the current Vice Governor of the Bank of Central African States (BEAC). He was appointed to this position on March 17, 2023 by the Heads of State of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC), during their 15th ordinary session in Yaounde, Cameroon.
Mr Dzombala holds a Diploma of Advanced Studies in Monetary Economics, a Master’s degree in Finance and a Diploma of Higher Studies from the Institut Technique de Banque (ITB) in Paris, France.
Mr Dzombala has more than 33 years of experience in the central bank, including in various positions in the BEAC’s headquarters in Yaounde, including as Central Director (investment and heritage, systems and means of payment, IT and telecommunication, and research and financial stability); and in Congo, where he was National Director for 5 years (2017-2022), before joining the Central African Banking Commission (COBAC), as Deputy Secretary General.
Mr Dzombala has, among other engagements, actively participated in the work of reforming BEAC’s monetary policy.
Nuru Mugambi
Advisor, Sustainable Banking and Finance Network (SBFN), International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Nuru is a subject matter expert on Sustainable Finance and Responsible Investment in Africa. She has spearheaded strategic initiatives aimed at reinforcing the financial sector’s role of being a core driver of sustainable economic development on the Continent. Her contributions towards Sustainable Finance policy formulation have led several industries through their bankers associations, including in Ghana, Kenya and Tanzania, towards adopting numerous progressive practices. And her Sustainable Finance capacity building work has been modelled by other countries, including Mongolia and Sri Lanka. While serving as director at Kenya Bankers Association, she designed and convened the Kenya Green Bond Program; the multi-stakeholder program resulted in pipeline research and the development of a green bond framework and a tax incentive which supported the first green bond in East and Central Africa that was issued by Acorn Holdings. She also developed KBA’s Digital Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities roadmap.
Olufunso Somorin
Regional Principal Officer, African Development Bank
Dr. Olufunso Somorin is a Regional Principal Officer at the African Development Bank. He leads the Bank’s work on climate change and green growth in the 13 countries of the Bank’s East African region. This includes supporting countries’ access to climate finance for implementing their climate actions, and mainstreaming climate change in all Bank policies and programs.
He also leads policy dialogues with national/regional governments on developing policy frameworks for managing local/regional economic and social issues, climate change, renewable energy, resilience, and inclusive growth.
Between 2013 and 2017, he coordinated the Bank’s work on addressing fragility and building resilience within the Horn of Africa. In the last 12 years in the Bank, he has been directly involved in the design, appraisal, and supervision of more than 200 development projects across multiple sectors, worth about USD 18.5 billion.
Prior to joining the Bank in 2011, Somorin was an Associate Professional Officer with the Center for International Forestry Research, supporting climate-informed policies of six Central African countries through research. He has published more than 20 peer-reviewed articles on climate policy, natural resources management and environmental governance in many scientific journals.
Somorin holds a PhD in International Environmental Policy from Wageningen University, the Netherlands. He is an alumnus of executive education from Bradford, Cambridge and Oxford Universities in the UK. He gives guest-lectures at King’s College London, African Leadership University (Rwanda) and Strathmore University (Kenya).
Somorin is currently a Non-Resident Fellow at the Africa Policy Research Institute (Berlin) and a recipient of the Eisenhower Fellowships (US) for his work on climate change in East Africa.
Pierre KamEnglish Translation
Sécrétaire Général de Fédération des Associations des Professionnels
des Etablissements de Crédit des pays de la CEMAC
M.Pierre Kam est titulaire d’un Doctorat en Sciences Economiques, de l’Université de Rennes1 en France, d’un DEA et d’un DES . Il cumule 29 ans d’expérience dans les métiers financiers et bancaires dont 14ans comme dirigeant d’établissement de crédit ( filiale du groupe Afriland First Bank).
En tant que Président de la Cameroon Leasing Association (CAMLEASE), il a promu les projets de lois du crédit bail et de l’affacturage au Cameroun.
Il occupe le poste de Secrétaire Général de l’APECCAM, de Secrétaire Général de la Fédération des APEC CEMAC depuis Décembre 2018 et de Secrétaire Permanent du Comité Régional de Normalisation Financière de la CEMAC (CORENOFI).
Il est par ailleurs enseignant associé et membre du comité scientifique de l’Institut Panafricain pour le Développement (IPD) et Enseignant vacataire à l’université de Yaoundé II-Soa
Secretary General, Federation of APECs (Regional Banking Federation)
Pierre Kam holds a doctorate in Economics from the University of Rennes 1 in France, a DEA (Diplome d’Etudes Approfondies) and a DES.
Mr Kam has 29 years of experience in finance and banking, including 14 years as a credit institutions manager (a subsidiary of the Afriland First Bank Group).
As the President of the Cameroon Leasing Association (CAMLEASE), he promoted draft bills for lease-purchase and factoring in Cameroon.
He currently holds positions of the Secretary general of APECCAM, Secretary General of the Federation of APEC CEMAC (since December 2018), and the Permanent Secretary of the Regional Committee for Financial Standardization of CEMAC (CORENOFI).
Mr Kam is also an associate lecturer and a member of the scientific committee of the Pan-African Institute for Development (IPD), and a part-time lecturer at the University of Yaounde II-Soa.
Quyen Thuc Nguyen
Senior Climate Finance Specialist and the Product Lead of the IFC Climate Finance Advisory Program in Financial Institutions Group (FIG), International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Quyen joined IFC in 2005 and managed IFC sustainability initiatives in the Mekong region, including energy efficiency & clean energy finance and environmental management programs. She has been working in FIG global team since 2012, providing capacity building and climate transaction support for banks in Asia and Africa.
She developed and managed a number of global initiatives, such as the Sustainable Banking Network, the technical assistance programs for green bond market development in relation to the Amundi EGO fund and HSBC’s REGIO Fund, the distributed solar projects for Africa and Asia, the greening financial sector program, and climate risk management advisory services. She led climate transactions and advisory activities with multiple banks in Asia and Africa.
Before IFC, Quyen had ten years of experience in rural development and sustainability initiatives in the Mekong region. She holds a MA degree in International Development/Economics from University of Leeds (UK), and MBA degree from University of Nottingham (UK).
Riccardo Ambrosini
Climate Finance Specialist in the Financial Institutions Group for North, West and Central Africa, International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Based in Cairo, Riccardo also leads climate finance advisory in Africa and is a regional coordinator for the Sustainable Banking & Finance Network (SBFN).
Riccardo supports commercial banks, leasing companies and microfinance institutions on the development of, and funding for, Sustainable Energy Finance products. Over the last few years, he has also led advisory projects for the development of green, social and sustainability bond guidelines in Africa.
In the past, Riccardo had also worked as a regional banker leading business development on direct lending for renewable and energy efficiency projects in the Western Balkans, and as Strategy & Finance advisor in the energy sector.
Rong Zhang
Global Coordinator of Sustainable Banking and Finance Network (SBFN). Lead of ESG Networks and Thought Leadership, International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Rong Zhang leads IFC’s support to the Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) Networks and Thought Leadership. In her role, she manages ESG global advisory programs and knowledge products to build capacity of clients and ESG practitioners, and convene networks to support government and market over various issues such as sustainable and climate finance, ESG standards, SDGs, disclosure and transparency, women in business leadership.
Rong Zhang is instrumental to build and expand the IFC-supported Sustainable Banking and Finance Network (SBFN) which is a public-private partnership platform convening financial regulators and industry associations from emerging markets committed to advancing the sustainable finance agenda. The Network was established in 2012 and is currently represented by 47 countries from the emerging markets.
She represents IFC and SBFN in various international sustainable finance fora and networks including the G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group (G20 SFWG), the EU International Platform for Sustainable Finance (EU IPSF) and the Central Banks and Supervisors Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS).
Prior to joining IFC in 2004, she spent over 10 years in the private sector in various capacities, providing governments and companies with strategic counsel and program implementation across the full spectrum of sustainability issues.
Vincent Darcy
Research Coordinator of Sustainable Banking and Finance Network (SBFN). Operations Officer, ESG Networks and Thought Leadership, International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Vincent is the Research Coordinator for the IFC-facilitated Sustainable Banking and Finance Network, a global platform convening 78 financial regulators and industry associations from 63 emerging markets. In his role, Vincent leads the development of knowledge products and thought leadership in collaboration with SBFN member institutions, including SBFN’s Measurement Framework, which serves as the basis for SBFN’s flagship benchmarking of national progress on sustainable finance in emerging markets.
A sustainable finance and ESG policy, standards, and risk management expert working with financial institutions, regulators, and companies on sustainability and climate-related strategies, Vincent has over a decade of experience ranging from high-level policy advice to on-the-ground implementation of climate and ESG policies and standards.
At IFC and in his previous role as a sustainable finance consultant, Vincent has worked on multiple projects involving complex ESG issues, and has supported key sustainable finance initiatives globally.
Wenxin Li
Operations Officer in the Climate Business Department of International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Wenxin is an Operations Officer in the Climate Business Department of IFC, promoting sustainability and climate finance in the Infrastructure Department and across all other industry departments.
Previously, she worked in the climate business team of Financial Institutions Groups.
Before joining IFC, she was a Program Officer in the secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Yaseen Lockhat
Senior Specialist Human Settlements, Market Conduct Division, The Banking Association South Africa
Yaseen Lockhat is a sustainability specialist with a focus on sustainable finance and climate risk. He holds an MSC in Development Planning from the University of the Witswatersand and has been with the Banking Association South Africa for the past five years.
Yaseen provides strategic support to banks with a view of shaping policies and frameworks that mitigate climate-related risks and promote sustainable development.
As a member of the Climate Risk Forum, which BASA is the secretariat of, Yaseen has been responsible for most of the organization’s work in this Forum and represents BASA on both local and international platforms.
Yaseen has a passion for sustainability and believes in the power of finance to drive positive change and is committed to leveraging his skills and knowledge to advance the sustainable finance agenda.
Yasser Mounsif
Head of Corporate Finance and Financial Disclosure Department Moroccan Capital Market Authority (AMMC); Co-Chair of the SBFN Measurement Working Group
Yasser supervises the approval of issuer prospectuses as well as their compliance with ongoing information obligations. He is also actively involved in many regulatory projects and working groups aimed at market development, such as sustainable finance, where he had a significant contribution in drafting the Moroccan guidelines for Green, Social and Sustainability Bonds.
Yasser joined the AMMC in 2008 where he held several positions before being appointed as Head of Corporate Finance and Financial Disclosure. Prior to joining the AMMC, he was responsible for internal auditing at a multinational company. Yasser serves as the Chair of the Sustainability Working Group of the IOSCO AMERC committee
Yasser holds a master’s degree in corporate finance from Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane (Morocco).