AfriCatalyst
Our Team
Our People
The future is in your hands. Our talented, diverse, multiethnic and multinational team comes from all corners of Africa.
Daouda Sembene
President and Chief Executive Officer
Saturnin Toudonou
Internal Controller
Holder of a Master in Audit and Management Control, Saturnin is a young and ambitious Beninese with experience in his field. He works in the positions of Accounting and Financial Manager, Administrative Manager, Accounting and Financial Manager, Chief Accountant whereby he ensures the administrative, financial and accounting management.
Penda Ndiaye
Project Manager
Penda Ndiaye is a seasoned expert in finance, climate, and sustainable development, with a solid background in investment banking, advisory services - including at Deloitte - and public policy. She has designed innovative financial solutions and advised major European institutions on regulation, capital markets, and climate risk, contributing to initiatives led by the European Central Bank (ECB) and the U.S. Federal Reserve Board (FRB). She has worked with UNDP and other partners to promote inclusive finance and climate solutions across Africa. Alongside her professional work, she is a committed advocate for women’s economic empowerment, girls’ education, and climate action. Penda holds degrees from Sciences Po Paris and Paris Dauphine University, and has received advanced training in sustainable finance from the University of Cambridge and the United Nations.
Fifi Esther Ahonhede
Senior Projects and Operations Officer
Fifi Esther Ahonhede is an Operations and Project Management professional with several years of experience supporting international development initiatives across Africa. She has built a strong track record in project coordination, high-level event organization, procurement, and logistics management, working with donor-funded programs and cross-cultural teams.
Her professional background also includes experience in project coordination, office management, and executive assistance in organizations spanning consultancy, education, and travel. This has given her deep expertise in streamlining operations.
Fifi Esther holds a Master’s degree in International Project Management, a Bachelor’s in Economics and Management with a specialization in Supply Chain Management, and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature. Fully bilingual in French and English, and passionate about international development, she aims to leverage her skills to strengthen organizational systems and deliver high-impact projects that support Africa’s growth and global partnerships.
Nicolas Kodzo Sounou
Accountant
Fenohasina Rakotondrazaka Maret
Senior Advisor
Fenohasina Rakotondrazaka Maret is a development economist with more than 12 years of experience. She was recently an economist at the Office of the President of the Republic of Madagascar and a senior research associate in the Urban Institute’s Center on International Development and Governance where she oversaw a public sector system strengthening project in Tanzania.
Jennifer Baidoo
Senior Advisor
Jennifer Baidoo is a development expert who draws on her blended expertise in strategy, design, governance, change and sustainable development to embed sustainable practices. She has contributed to the reformation of the national industrial strategy and renewable energy policy in the UK and uses her positions as non-executive director on boards to advocate for social inclusivity and eco consciousness.
Boileau Loko
Senior Advisor
Boileau Loko is a seasoned macroeconomist with 25 years of experience at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), including 15 years in management positions. He was in the senior management team of the Strategic and Policy Review Department, overseeing macroeconomic policy recommendations for a broad range of advanced and emerging economies both in program and surveillance contexts. Boileau Loko also played a major role in enhancing and operationalizing policies that help member countries improve debt sustainability, governance, and inclusion, including in Fragile and Conflict-affected States. Prior to this, He held various positions within the Fund as Division Chief, Mission Chief, Advisor, and Resident Representative leading high level policy dialogue and advising high-ranking officials on macro and fiscal policies, public finance and debt management. Boileau Loko has published extensively on various topics, including debt, fintech, productivity, and macro implications of natural disasters. He holds a Ph.D. in Macroeconomics & Economic Modeling and a Postgraduate Specialized Studies Diploma (DESS) in Project Analysis from the Center for Studies and Research on International Development (CERDI, France).
Kingsley Obiora
Senior Advisor
Dr. Kingsley Obiora is an experienced economist and central banker with over 20 years of work at national and international levels. He began his career at the West African Monetary Institute before joining the IMF in 2007. He later served on Nigeria’s National Economic Management Team and as Special Adviser to the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
From 2020 to 2023, he was Deputy Governor for Economic Policy at the CBN, where he led key departments and helped create Africa’s first Central Bank Digital Currency, the eNaira. He has served on several major boards, including the African Finance Corporation and NEXIM Bank. Currently, he serves as the Chief Economist and Managing Director of Economic Square LLC, a policy consulting firm based in Washington, D.C.
Fatou Ndiaye
Intern
Fatou Ndiaye has a professional background in political research, human rights, and community engagement. Experienced in examining how public-facing institutions function in North America and Africa, she intends to contribute to and learn more about how diverse actors can work together to pursue development goals. She holds a Bachelor's of Arts from McGill University and a Master's of Science from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Marieme Diop
Chief Operating Officer
Marieme brings over a decade of expertise in leadership, talent strategy, and human capital development, driving innovative solutions for sustainable progress across Africa. She is the founder of Kalimar Consulting, where she empowers executives and business owners through coaching, team building, and strategic consulting.
Marieme holds an MBA from Mercer University and a BA in Economics from Spelman College.
Fary Ba
People and Culture Manager
Fary is a specialist in strategic human resource management, with solid experience
gained in multicultural environments in both Canada and Senegal. She holds a Master’s
degree in Human Resource Management from HEC Montréal and a Bachelor's degree
in International Development and Globalization from the University of Ottawa, Canada.
She has successfully led high-impact assignments for public institutions, international
organizations, and private companies. Fary is recognized for her professionalism, rigor,
and collaborative leadership, which she leverages to support organizations in designing
and implementing innovative HR practices that align with their strategic priorities.
Codou Ndiaye
Grants Coordinator
I am an accounting, Finance and Administration Professional | Community Volunteer | Sports Enthusiast
With a career rooted in organization, communication and teamwork, I have acquired experience in managing financial and administrative operations across various sectors, mainly in the NGO sector and international development such as OSF, USAID, and African Philanthropy.
Beyond my professional achievements, I am committed to impactful social causes and sports that help me shape a disciplined and team-oriented approach to work and life in general.
Tagaty Badio
Projects and Operations Officer
Born in Senegal and raised in Canada, Tagaty has lived across four continents. She holds an Honours Bachelor’s degree from the University of Toronto, where she specialized in International Development with a focus on Gender and African Studies. Currently, Tagaty is pursuing a Master’s degree in Human Rights and Humanitarian Action at Sciences Po Paris School of International Affairs.
Expanding on her experience working with NGOs and international organizations, Tagaty hopes this new venture will help her gain a foothold in development and advisory work on the African continent.
Kelvin Dalrymple
Senior Advisor
Kelvin Dalrymple is a development macroeconomist, and risk management professional. He is experienced in credit rating analysis, strategy, geopolitics, emerging markets, small states, and political economy. He has global experience having served on the executive boards of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund, as well as regional public sector and institutional coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean, the USA, Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and United Kingdom.
Steve Williams MBOLLO
Advisor
Steve is an experienced Senior Data Analyst and Statistician with an exceptional track record in data management and analytics. With proven expertise in working with various organizations, Steve has successfully contributed to critical projects and provided valuable insights to inform decision-making processes.
Cheikh Anta Gueye
Senior Advisor
Cheikh Anta Gueye is a seasoned economist and capital markets expert with over two decades of
experience in macroeconomic policy, financial systems development, and international finance.
He has served in senior leadership roles at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), most recently
as Deputy Division Chief and Mission Chief to Estonia and Belarus, where he led structural
reform efforts and financial policy dialogues. He previously served as Mission Chief to Niger,
significantly advancing the country’s access to capital markets and earning national recognition
for his contributions.
Prior to joining the IMF, he held key positions at the Central Bank of West African States
(BCEAO) and the Ministry of Economy and Finance in Senegal. Cheikh has advised numerous
governments on economic reforms, public finance management, and capital market
development. He is widely published on issues related to sovereign debt, oil economies, and
financial architecture reform in Africa.
He holds an MBA from Southern Illinois University, an MPA in Public Finance from Senegal’s
National School of Administration, and a degree in Macroeconomics from the University Cheikh
Anta Diop.
Konaté Soundjata Mahamane Kimane Konaté
Finance and Accounting Intern
Konaté began his accounting career with a Higher Studies Diploma from the National School of Administration. Passionate about numbers, he continued his studies at CESAG, where he obtained a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and Financial Techniques as well as a professional Master's degree in Accounting and Financial Management, and is currently pursuing further training to become a chartered accountant (DESCOGEF). He has practical experience in firms and companies in Niger and Senegal, particularly in accounting, auditing, taxation, and internal control. At AfriCatalyst, he is particularly interested in financial reporting and the accounting and financial management of projects and grants, with the aim of mastering the requirements and responsibilities associated with these functions.
Chizaram Iroaganachi
Intern
Chizaram is a Social Entrepreneur and Development Professional with over five years of experience in program management and advocacy. She specializes in driving sustainable social impact across the African region by leveraging strategic partnerships, storytelling, and economic empowerment initiatives. Chizaram is dedicated to building innovative programs that empower underrepresented communities and develop long-term systemic change.
Pratik Patel
Bureau Chief for East and Southern Africa
Pratik is AfriCatalyst’s Bureau Chief for East and Southern Africa, responsible for leading the organisation’s mission, strategy, and expansion across the region. He brings over a decade of experience as a development practitioner and consultant for INGOs, non-profits, and research institutions across East and Southern Africa and Asia. His previous leadership and advisory work has covered, but is not limited to, governance, nutrition and public health, pro-poor financing, agriculture, market systems development, and education.
Based in Nairobi, Kenya, Pratik holds an MSc in Development Administration and Planning from University College London and a BSc in Management Sciences from the London School of Economics.
Youssoupha Pouye
Senior Finance Manager
Sarah Adjel
Business Development and Stakeholder Engagement Manager.
Sarah is an expert in economic diplomacy, business development, and institutional relations, with over a decade of international experience. She holds a PhD in Contemporary History and International Relations, with a focus on the political economy of oil and gas, particularly in Africa and the MENA region.
Samiratou Kora Chabi
Research Coordinator
Samiratou Kora Chabi is a statistician-economist with a PhD in Economics from Université de Montréal. She brings extensive experience in applied research, data analysis, and policy evaluation, with expertise in econometrics, impact assessment, and quantitative modeling. Her work bridges academic rigor and real-world policy needs, focusing on transforming complex data into actionable insights to support evidence-based decision-making.
Thiaba Camara Sy
Senior Advisor
Daniel Citrin
Senior Advisor
As a strategic leader, Daniel guided strategic policy operations in the IMF for over 25 years. Strategic projects include leading reforms to the process of formulating and monitoring IMF operational budget, advising the Managing Director on the IMF’s rapid response to the European crisis, and co-chairing the comprehensive review of IMF’s compensation and benefits framework.
Jean-Claude Tchatchouang
Senior Advisor
Bernard Mogaka Kinara
Senior Advisor
Ibrahima Aidara
Senior Advisor
A visionary Program Management Leader with over two decades of experience in economic governance, policy analysis, and international development. Ibrahima is passionate about advancing inclusive, sustainable growth, social justice, and accountability. He is adept at managing multi-disciplinary teams, designing results-based frameworks, and leveraging market based solutions to tackle complex development challenges.
Recognized for leading transformative reforms and fostering institutional partnerships across West Africa and beyond, he holds a PhD in Economics and is fluent in West African languages, English, and French.
Dié Astou Cissé
Intern