Our Corporate Governance

Baobab is committed to leading by example, with rock-solid governance held to the very highest standards of competency, diversity and integrity.

Our supervisory board

Arnold EKPE

Chairman of the Supervisory Board

Biography

With over 30 years’ experience in African and international banking, Arnold Ekpe is well known for the key role he played in building and transforming Africa’s banking industry. As two-time CEO of the Ecobank Group, he was responsible for growing the bank from 5 to 36 countries and the balance sheet from USD2bn to USD20bn. Arnold Ekpe is currently the Chairman of the Business Council for Africa and a non-executive director of Crown Agents bank, one of the leading providers of FX and payments in frontier and emerging markets. He is a non-executive directorate chair of the audit and risk committee of Aavishkaar Group, one of India’s leading impact platforms; and a non-executive Director of the Dangote Group, African leading industrial group. Arnold was formerly CEO of United Bank for Africa and Chairman of Atlas Mara. He also served as Chairman of Wari, the largest privately owned mobile digital payment platform and agent network in West Africa. Arnold holds a First-Class Honours Degree in Engineering from Manchester University (1976) and an MBA from Manchester Business School (1979).
Arnold EKPE
Chairman of the Supervisory Board

Jean-Michel PIVETEAU

Vice President

Biography

  • 49 years of finance and investment banking experience from 1971, in London, Paris, Africa, Persian Gulf, and Asia.
  • Specifically charged by BNP Paribas with opening and managing from scratch its operational structures in Bahrein, Taiwan, India, Thailand, then to expand and lead its operations in China since 1993 till 2015.
  • Further on, Senior Adviser for China to the Chairman of BNP Paribas.
  • Active, since its opening in China, as Board member of Microcred China, Chairman since 2020, currently also Vice Chairman at the Board of Baobab.
Jean-Michel PIVETEAU 
Vice Chairman 
190409_GJ_JC_Flowers

Thierry PORTE

Chairman of the Audit, Risk & Compliance Committee

Biography

  • 40 years of experience in global financial markets
  • J.C. Flowers & Co., leading financial services private equity firm, Vice Chairman and Managing Director (2009 – present)
  • Shinsei Bank, Limited, Tokyo, Japan, President and CEO (2003 – 2008)
  • Morgan Stanley, New York, London, Tokyo, President and Branch Manager, Morgan Stanley Japan (1982 – 2003)
  • U.S. – Japan Bridging Foundation, Chair (2010 – present)
  • Asia Society Japan Center, founder and co-chair (2018 – present)
  • Board directorships include AZ Therapies, Chi-X Japan, Chi-X Digital Assets, Asia Society, Program on International Financial Systems
  • Harvard College, AB, 1979, Economics, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa
  • Harvard Business School, MBA, 1982, High Honors, Baker Scholar
Thierry PORTE
Chairman of the Audit, Risk & Compliance Committee
François_Robinet

François ROBINET

Member
Eric_Decker

Erick DECKER

Member
Nadia BOUGHABA

Nadia BOUGHABA

Member

Biography

Nadia Boughaba has been part of AXA Emerging Customers business unit since 2017

She is the Head of Products, Operations & Technology and also acts as senior partnership manager, supporting teams to deliver inclusive insurance strategy and business development in Egypt, Philippines, and Turkey.

Before working on inclusive insurance, Nadia worked 10 years in investments for insurance companies. Her academic background is in economics and asset management.

Nadia BOUGHABA 
Chairman of the ESG Committee  
Nick_Talwar

Nick TALWAR

Chairman of the Strategy Committee

Biography

  • Circle Up (2020 – present) : President & CEO
  • Apis Partners, Partner (2017-2020)
  • Accion,(2014 - 2018) : Board Member
  • Amazon Lending, (2014-2016) : GM
  • VISA, (2010-2014) : SVP, North America Credit Cards
  • Citibank Sweden (2004-2010) : CEO, Consumer Bank
  • Nick holds a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University (1995) and a MBA from the Wharton Business School (2000).
Nikhil TALWAR  
Chairman of the Strategy Committee  
Hossam_Abou_Moussa

Houssam ABOU MOUSSA

Member

Biography

  • APIS Partners, partner (Mar 2021 - Present)
  • Actis, partner (June 2006 - March 2021)
  • EFG - Hermès Private Equity, Associate (2003 - 2008)
  • CIIC, Associate (1999 – 2002)

  • Hossam graduated in business & finance from the American University of Cairo, Egypt and he holds a MBA from the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.

Houssam Abou Moussa 
Member 
NADEAU

Alain NADEAU

Chairman of the ESG Committee

Biography

  • Over 30 years of experience in development financing (on both political and operational issues)
  • Since 2021: seconded by European Investment Bank to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (London) as Senior Advisor;
  • Most recent assignments within the EIB included:
    • Head of EIB Group Representation to China and Mongolia, posted in Beijing.
    • Head of EIB Group Representation to Hungary, posted in Budapest.
    • Head of the “Banks and Private Sector” division within the Western Europe department.
    • Head of the Maghreb division.
  • Prior to joining the EIB, nine years with the French Development Agency.
  • Successively Loan Officer in Madagascar and Niger; seconded to the French Treasury (Paris) as Deputy Head of the Europe Office.
  • 2015-present: Member of Baobab Holding Supervisory Board. Chairman of the Environmental, Social and Governance Committee.
  • 2017-2021: Member of the Board of Directors of Baobab Ivory Coast.
Alain NADEAU
Chairman of the ESG Committee
Kasper_Svarrer

Kasper SVARRER

Member
Thomas_Klungsoyr

Thomas KLUNGSOEYR

Chairman of the HR Committee

our shareholders