(FINANCE) Marlène Ngoyi, a distinguished Congolese banker, has made significant strides in transforming Africa’s financial landscape through her leadership and commitment to economic development.
Born in Brussels to Congolese parents and raised in Gabon, her multicultural upbringing has shaped a global perspective that she has effectively leveraged throughout her career.
Ngoyi holds impressive academic credentials, graduating magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Finance from Bentley University and earning an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Her professional journey, spanning over two decades, has seen her hold key leadership roles in numerous financial institutions across Africa.
In May 2022, Ngoyi was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA), a subsidiary of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank).
In this role, she oversees the promotion and financing of export-oriented projects, contributing to economic growth and integration across the continent.
Before her role at FEDA, Ngoyi served as CEO of BGFI Investment Banking, where she successfully raised over US$4 billion in capital and foreign direct investment for both private and sovereign clients. She also played a pivotal role as CEO of a commercial bank in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), restoring the bank’s financial profitability.
Ngoyi’s expertise extends beyond banking; she was part of the founding team of Catalyst Principal Partners, a private equity firm focused on East African investments.
Her extensive experience includes raising multi-billion-dollar funds through various financial instruments, greatly enhancing Africa’s financial infrastructure.
Fluent in English, French, and Spanish, Ngoyi’s linguistic skills have complemented her international career, allowing her to engage with diverse markets and cultures.
Her leadership and dedication to Africa’s financial growth have been widely recognized through numerous accolades, solidifying her position as a transformative figure in the sector.
Her strategic initiatives and unwavering commitment for growth continues to make Ngoyi one of the many playing pivotal roles in shaping Africa’s economic future, driving sustainable development, and fostering financial inclusion across the continent. From Agriculture to Lab: Ugandan’s Catherine Nakalembe, Advancing Agriculture and Food Security in Africa through Satellite Technology
Dr. Catherine Nakalembe, a distinguished Ugandan scientist, has made groundbreaking strides in advancing agricultural practices and food security across Africa by harnessing the power of satellite technology.
Growing up in Uganda, she developed a deep passion for geography, which ultimately steered her toward a career focused on remote sensing and agricultural monitoring.
Dr. Nakalembe pursued higher education in the United States, earning a Ph.D. in Geography from the University of Maryland.
Her doctoral research focused on utilizing satellite data to improve agricultural monitoring systems and early warning capabilities, with the aim of enhancing food security in Uganda and the broader East African region.
In her current role as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geographical Sciences at the University of Maryland, Dr. Nakalembe also serves as the Africa Program Director for NASA Harvest, where she leads efforts to apply satellite data to promote agricultural development and food security across the African continent.
A key accomplishment in her career has been the development of the Disaster Risk Financing Program for the Ugandan Government.
This initiative uses satellite data to predict crop yields and assess agricultural risks, allowing for more timely interventions to support farmers and bolster food security. Dr. Nakalembe’s groundbreaking work has earned her widespread recognition. In 2020, she was awarded the prestigious Al-Sumait Prize for African Development for her innovative contributions to agriculture and food security.
She also received the GEO Individual Excellence Award in 2019, recognizing her impactful work in the field of Earth observations.
Her innovative use of technology has empowered farmers by providing them with vital data to make informed decisions, enabling the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices.
Her work is a testament to the transformative potential of integrating satellite technology and science to address critical challenges in Africa’s agricultural sector and improve the livelihoods of farmers across the continent.
