Manuel Moses appointed CEO of The African Trade Insurance Agency
Manuel Moses, a 15-year veteran of the IFC, assumed office as ATI’s fourth CEO
Manuel Moses appointed CEO of The African Trade Insurance Agency
The African Trade Insurance Agency (ATI) announced today that Manuel Moses has formally assumed office as the fourth Chief Executive Officer (CEO). He enters the top job at a critical time in both the organisation and the region amidst a raging global pandemic that has bruised many economies.
With the full backing of ATI’s Board of Directors and Management, the new CEO brings tremendous experience and an ambitious vision to the role, in which he plans to grow ATI’s reputation and brand globally, strengthen its developmental mandate and assist the most vulnerable economies in Africa by supporting trade and private sector-led initiatives in the region.
“Trade makes the world go around. Given my background in development, I was naturally attracted to be part of ATI’s exciting journey. Intra Africa trade is only 16% compared to 50% in other regions, the potential for growth, and hence the opportunity for ATI, is huge. I feel lucky joining just before the implementation of the AfCFTA which provides a further boost to ATI’s opportunities despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. However, for intra-African trade to be the solution, Africa’s infrastructure deficit and rate of industrialization must accelerate over the next decade,” notes Manuel.
To tackle the continent’s infrastructure investment gap, he proposes supporting the most impactful projects that have a demonstrated effect of crowding in private capital. He posits that this can be done by leveraging ATI’s balance sheet and credit rating to mobilize capital that can finance the infrastructure needs of lower-income countries in Africa.
Manuel also cites green growth as essential to Africa’s viability as an attractive investment destination as well as the ability to sustain itself. “There is growing pressure on the financial sector to support green growth. The cost of wind and solar energy has dramatically fallen over the years making it possible to provide the energy needs of any country at affordable rates. We have a role to play to encourage our clients to commit to greenhouse gas emission reductions.”
In the coming weeks, Manuel plans to prioritize meetings with staff, clients and stakeholders as a first order of business to obtain critical feedback as he sets about the business of operationalizing his vision.
Manuel has over 25 years of experience in finance, banking, insurance and investment at the international level. Prior to joining ATI, he worked at IFC for 15 years, where he most recently held the post of Country Manager for East Africa, with responsibility for IFC’s activities in the sub-region and managing a 150 strong team. Manuel has also held Senior-level positions at Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank (TDB), the Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Development Bank.
He holds an MBA in Finance from the University of Leicester in the UK and a BSc in Civil Engineering from the University of Zimbabwe. In addition, he is a Chartered Management Accountant U.K, ACMA.