Proparco, the private-sector financing arm of Agence Française de Développement (AFD), has announced the appointment of Jean Guyonnet-Dupérat as its new Regional Director for East Africa. With over 15 years of expertise in banking and development finance, Guyonnet-Dupérat takes on a role critical to advancing Proparco’s mission in the region, aiming to deliver $300 million in annual investments across East Africa.
Guyonnet-Dupérat’s career highlights include managing a $100 million annual portfolio in Nigeria during his tenure as Proparco’s Director for the country. His work focused on pivotal sectors such as banking, agro-processing, and renewable energy. Notably, he pioneered investments in fintech, venture capital, and off-grid energy solutions — areas increasingly vital to development efforts in Africa.
In East Africa, he will lead a team dedicated to scaling Proparco’s impact, prioritizing investments that drive sustainable growth, create jobs, and expand access to essential services. His leadership coincides with Proparco’s growing focus on climate action and poverty reduction through private-sector partnerships.
Proparco’s track record in Africa is marked by substantial commitments to fostering micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). The agency has invested $1 billion over 15 years in Nigeria through risk-sharing facilities, loans, and equity contributions. These efforts have supported 39 projects across the continent, with a strong emphasis on sectors like renewable energy, financial inclusion, and technology.
In Nigeria, Proparco’s support has been transformative. A $35 million loan and a ₦5 billion EURIZ guarantee to First City Monument Bank (FCMB) strengthened the bank’s capacity to finance high-impact SMEs and climate projects. One of the initiatives backed through this collaboration enabled A4&T Power to deploy 1.5 MWp of renewable energy, powering schools, health facilities, and rural communities.
Proparco’s engagement in venture capital is also shaping Africa’s tech ecosystem. In 2022, the agency invested $5 million in Ventures Platform, a Nigeria-based early-stage fund. This partnership aims to bridge structural gaps in the startup landscape, fostering innovation and improving livelihoods across underserved communities.
Damilola Teidi-Ayoola, Head of Platform and Networks at Ventures Platform, emphasized the significance of Proparco’s involvement. “Their support enhances our ability to deliver value to our clients while creating meaningful impact,” she said. Ventures Platform has since supported startups like Nigeria’s Traction Apps, which develops tools to help SMEs manage payments, invoicing, and inventory, demonstrating the tangible benefits of such investments.
Guyonnet-Dupérat’s appointment signals Proparco ’s continued commitment to East Africa as a hub for innovation and growth. With a robust strategy centered on leveraging private-sector solutions, the agency is poised to deepen its contributions to sustainable development in the region.
As the global development finance landscape evolves, Proparco’s initiatives — underpinned by strategic partnerships and impactful investments — remain integral to addressing Africa’s most pressing challenges.