Sam Akyianu

Background

About Sam Akyianu

As the Managing Director of the Mastercard Foundation Africa Growth Fund, I oversee impact investment with a gender lens, business support services and impact measurement. The Fund-of-Funds is a bold initiative that works through African investment vehicles to support early-stage, growth-oriented SMEs on the continent, with the goal of enabling dignified and fulfilling work for young people, particularly young women. I have over 25 years’ experience in designing, implementing, and leading the delivery of financial advisory solutions across Africa and Asia, covering a variety of sectors such as agribusiness for export, SMEs, private education, health insurance and services, and private equity ("PE") funds. I have also led PE and venture capital ("VC") regulatory environment reviews, including the assessments of ecosystems for start-ups, entrepreneurs, and SMEs. In my previous role at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), I managed the investment advisory for IFC’s global portfolio of SME Ventures funds. My strengths include conducting due diligence of PE funds and companies, analysis, design, and implementation of technical assistance to boost investment performance, as well as managing grant programs for portfolio operations and compliance. I am passionate about impact investing, particularly to benefit women and youth in Africa. Summary of Competencies: •Strategic leadership •Private Equity Investment Advisory in SME’s •Technical Advisory & Business Consulting •Project Management/Implementation •Operations Management and result in measurement •Grant Management •Business Development •Strategic partnership •Donor reporting •Stakeholder/Client Engagement •Innovations Management •Quality Control •Policy, Risk Mitigation & Compliance •Quality Control •Audit/Treasury Investments •Leadership Other key areas of accomplishment include: Financial advisory, Treasury management, development and financing of Agribusiness for export markets, private education, health insurance policy, and Sustainable Business Advisory.