The pan-African strategic, financial and communications advisory firm ACT Afrique Group announces the appointment of Mr. Papa Oumar Syr Diagne as Director, Head of Financial Advisory by decision of April 15 2022. Born in Dakar, Papa is a citizen of Senegal and Canada. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from OMNES Education (formerly INSEEC U.) and is a candidate for the MBA 2022 at the African Leadership University School of Business (ALUSB). Papa started his career in the Strategic Partnerships team of a real estate division of the ‘Caisse de Dépôt et Placement du Québec’, a leading global pension fund with C$420 billion in assets under management.
An Impact Investing specialist with proven expertise in Africa-focused Private Equity, PPP & Sustainable Infrastructure, Papa boasts significant experience jumpstarting a +US$250 million independent Private Equity fund (“AFIG Funds”) and as a member of the founding team of the Sovereign Wealth Fund of the State of Senegal (“FONSIS”). Papa structured and executed +US$350 million landmark investments in the range of US$4-50 million in varied sectors including Financial Services, Agribusiness, Mining Services, Oil & Gas, Renewable Energy, Transport & Logistics, Water & Sanitation and Healthcare in West and Central Africa.
Previously an Investment Manager at FONSIS, he closed key transactions including the establishment of SEN’EAU, Senegal’s new national water production and distribution company operated by the Suez Group, and the Bus Rapid Transit project in partnership with Meridiam. Papa also led the Oyass Capital project, an $85 million blended finance fund dedicated to SMEs, initially funded by KfW, the State of Senegal, and the World Bank. Papa also enjoyed major exposure to social infrastructure, managing a $300m+ pipeline in the Health, including the rehabilitation and development of public and private hospitals.
“It is with great pleasure that we welcome Papa Oumar Syr Diagne. His presence at ACT as Director of Financial Advisory brings new expertise to the company and strengthens our service offering in the field of financial advisory,” says Fabrice Nze-Bekale, Managing Director of ACT Afrique Group.