Our events

To participate in the marketplace session, each member of the SME Finance Forum must have 1) an institutional profile (company profile) and personal profiles (individuals representing the companies) set up on the marketplace. Institutional profile shall also include products/services being offered by the members. With institutional profile and personal profile, representatives of member institutions will be able to explore different offerings by other members such as investment products, advisory services, technology solutions...etc. The virtual platform will enable members to reach out to one another to discuss potential collaboration and partnership at their own convenience.  

 

- AFREXIM Bank

Abah Ofon is the Manager-Export Development Advisory at African Export-Import Bank. Abah has over 22 years’ macroeconomic, commodities, trade and research experience in financial markets in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Prior to joining Afreximbank, he was lead analyst at the London firm Agribriefing, Head of agri-commodity research and Africa economist for Standard Chartered Bank’s global franchise based in London, Dubai and Singapore and Malaysia.  Abah has provided advisory services on commodity markets to some of the largest agribusiness names and institutional clients including hedge funds and central banks. Abah is a prominent pundit in the financial and business media and was profiled in the UK’s Financial Times at the height of the 2009 commodity crisis. Abah is a graduate of the London School of Economics and has been a member of the UK Society of Business Economists as well as a Financial Advisor licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. 

 

- CDC

Wasim Tahir is a Financial Institutions Sector Strategist at CDC Group. Wasim is responsible for developing the investment and development strategy of CDC’s largest sector by Assets under Management. Wasim’s role covers CDC’s target geographies in Africa and South Asia with a product scope covering Equity, Debt, Guarantees and Funds. Wasim gained his experience in the sector through roles at Credit Suisse and Lloyds Banking Group, and through 20+ projects with Oliver Wyman and Boston Consulting Group. Wasim graduated from the University of Oxford and is a CFA® charterholder.

 

 

- DFC (Development Finance Corporation)

Rashanda Johnson is Director of Client Development in the Office of Development Credit at the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). As the Director of Client Development, Rashanda  focuses on counseling U.S. companies seeking financing, evaluating new project proposals and loan  applications, and developing new business opportunities. Prior to joining DFC, Ms. Johnson served at US Commercial Service and USAID. Her primary  responsibilities were assisting in outreach to the U.S. business and trade communities, and facilitating  new business opportunities. 

Ms. Johnson holds an MPA with an emphasis on Policy and Management from Bowie State University  and a Bachelor's degree in International Business from Wright State University. She also is alumna of a  multi-country study abroad program which emphasizes global comparative study.

 

- FinDev Canada

Yolanda Banks is the Director of Corporate Affairs at FinDev Canada. She is responsible for managing practices related to stakeholder relations and reporting & disclosure.  Previously, she was with Export Development Canada (EDC), the parent company of FinDev Canada, in roles related to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).  Ms. Banks worked for several years with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada with foreign postings in London, Dhaka, Addis Ababa, with cross-accreditations to Burma (Myanmar) and Sudan. Ms. Banks serves in a voluntary capacity as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Trade Facilitation Office Canada, the primary Canadian provider of information, advice and contact for exporters in developing and emerging economies. Ms. Banks holds a Master of Arts (International Affairs, Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University), and a Master of Business Administration (University of British Columbia).

- FMO

Jeroen Harteveld is the Portfolio Manager for MASSIF, the financial inclusion fund that FMO manages on behalf of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. MASSIF has a committed portfolio of over USD 550 million and is active in 40 different countries. Jeroen has been working at FMO for over 15 years. In this timeframe he worked as an Investment Officer in FMO’s Financial Institutions department. Prior, Jeroen worked at various other departments, including, Infrastructure, Manufacturing & Services and the Emerging Markets Fund. He is a Chartered Controller and has a master as well as an executive master in Finance & Control from Nyenrode Business University (The Netherlands). Jeroen wrote his thesis on managing distressed asset portfolios in emerging markets.

 

- IFC (International Finance Corporation)

Angela Lumanau is a Senior Investment Officer at IFC. She is a seasoned investment professional with extensive experience in executing and managing equity and debt investments in emerging markets. Expertise in the financial services sector and experience throughout the full investment cycle. Track record in managing client relationships and leading teams in highly diverse and international settings. Passionate about the power of the private sector to drive sustainable impact at scale. 

 

 

 

- ICD (Islamic Corporation Development)

- PROPARCO 

Guillaume Barberousse is the Head of Financial Institutions at Proparco. Guillaume started his career with BNP Paribas 2000, working in the mergers and acquisitions consultancy department with particular responsibility for deals in the agro-industry sector, and in media and telecommunications, before becoming manager of the valuations team. Guillaume joined Proparco in the risks and portfolio division in 2007, before becoming deputy director of the corporate division with special responsibility for agro-industry. He took charge of the Istanbul office in September 2013. Guillaume has a degree in agricultural engineering and a Master’s in finance from ESCP business school in Paris.

 

Materials are available for members on Member's Portal.