British International Investment, the UK’s development finance institution (DFI) and impact investor, today announced the appointment of Sylvia Monthe as Coverage Director for Francophone West and Central Africa.
Ms. Monthe will lead on BII’s investment and stakeholder activities, strengthening the DFI’s presence in Francophone West and Central Africa. Fluent in French and English, Ms. Monthe brings two decades of experience in the banking and financial services sector, as well as in building businesses and working with entrepreneurs and policymakers.
She joins BII from Proparco, where she served as the Head of Financial Institutions for Central Africa. She oversaw the financial sector portfolio and developed the French DFI’s investment strategy across the financial sector in Central Africa.
Her career began in France, where she worked with several investment banks including Société Générale Corporate and Investment Bank, Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, and AXA Investment Managers. She later moved to Cameroon, where she managed a food processing company and established her own consultancy firm focused on assisting SMEs to raise funds, develop strategy, and enhance performance.
Sylvia’s extensive experience also includes her tenure at the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) in Cameroon, where she supported several private sector projects. This included providing the funding and technical assistance needed to increase the use of sustainable and renewable energy for local businesses.
At BII, she will work closely with the teams in London and across Africa, including Benson Adenuga, Head of Office and Coverage Director, Nigeria who said: “We are delighted to welcome Sylvia to our team. Her vast experience and proven track record in the financial sector will be invaluable as we continue to expand our presence in Francophone West and Central Africa. Her expertise in building strong relationships with local businesses and stakeholders will be crucial in driving our mission forward.”
Ms. Monthe commented: “I am excited to join BII and contribute to its impactful work across the continent. I look forward to collaborating with the talented teams in London and across Africa to drive sustainable development and inclusive economic growth in the region.”
Media contact:
Nia Tam | [email protected]
About British International Investment
British International Investment is the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor. As a trusted investment partner to businesses in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean, BII invests to create productive, sustainable and inclusive economies in our markets. Between 2022-2026, at least 30 per cent of BII’s total new commitments by value will be in climate finance. BII is also a founding member of the 2X Challenge which has raised over $33.6 billion to empower women’s economic development. The company has investments in over 1,580 businesses across 65 countries and total net assets of £8.5 billion. For more information, visit: www.bii.co.uk | watch here. Follow British International Investment on LinkedIn and X.
