Key skills and expertise

Bringing over 23 years of experience in financial services, energy, and agriculture sectors, the expert excels in business development, strategic planning, and financial management. Key skills include financial reporting under US/UK GAAP, IFRS, and OHADA, alongside proficiency in ERP systems like SAGE and ORACLE. Responsibilities have included leading corporate and financial planning initiatives, managing project portfolios, and implementing systems to enhance organizational efficiency. Previously held roles such as Country Finance Director and Technical Advisor, overseeing significant projects in Cote d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, and Mali, contributing to substantial organizational growth and efficiency improvements.

Project experience and donor exposure

Worked across diverse projects involving collaboration with the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) through the Millennium Challenge Account Côte d'Ivoire program. This role involved providing high-level technical evaluation for procurement contracts related to infrastructure projects, focusing on business financial capacity analysis in Cote d'Ivoire. Additionally, the expert engaged with the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) in Cote d'Ivoire, focusing on climate finance strategy and capacity building to support private sector investment in climate change projects.

Sectors and geographic focus

The expert has worked across key sectors including energy, financial services, agriculture, and rural development. Responsibilities have included strategic planning, financial management, and business development. With interdisciplinary expertise in integrating financial planning with environmental initiatives, such as climate finance strategies in Cote d'Ivoire, the expert's geographic scope includes regional work in West Africa and the UK. This involvement has contributed to both local and international initiatives, enhancing regional development through financial management and strategic planning initiatives. Extensive geographic experience in West Africa, particularly in Cote d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Mali, Nigeria, Chad, and Ghana, as well as in the UK, has provided deep familiarity with local governance and cultural dynamics.

Languages and education

With a background in fluent English and French, the expert has excellent proficiency in reading, speaking, and writing. These languages have been utilized extensively in professional settings across various countries, including Cote d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Mali, and the UK, facilitating communication in multilingual teams and international projects. Basic proficiency in Spanish is primarily used in less formal contexts. The educational background includes a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from London South Bank University, UK, with a focus on Finance and International Banking. Additionally, a Postgraduate Diploma in Management Studies (DMS) in Business Management was obtained from Greenwich School of Management, affiliated with the University of Hull, England. The expert also completed a Bachelor's degree in Finance and Accountancy at Institut National Polytechnique Houphouët Boigny, Cote d'Ivoire.