Our team of experienced partners have over a hundred years of banking experience in Africa
Kandolo Kasongo (KK)
Partner
KK, is an experienced banker with proven Risk Management, Business, and People skills developed and refined over 40 years in a succession of senior positions initially in Business but for the last 25 years in Risk Management with both international banks (Citigroup - 26 years, Barclays – 2 years, and Standard Bank of South Africa- 4 years) and large local banks (Union Bank of Nigeria PLC- 8 years) in multiple geographies across Africa and the Middle East.
KK currently specializes in providing support to CEOs, CROs, and Chief Compliance Officers by sharing his experience. He has extensive experience as a Board member (both as an Executive and Independent Director) as well as Consultant with a focus on Risk and Governance. KK holds a degree of Ingenieur Commercial et de Gestion (MBA equivalent) from Faculté Universitaire Catholique de Mons in Belgium. A native of the Democratic Republic of Congo, he is fluent in English and French.
Akin Dada (AKD)
Partner
AKD has over 30 years of banking experience in various roles in Corporate & Investment Banking; covering client coverage, strategic transaction initiation, risk asset origination, risk management, and advisory dialogues across various client segments and industries.
Akin held senior leadership and board positions at Citigroup, Ecobank, and Access Bank managing multiple businesses and across multiple geographies. Akin has demonstrated an ability to leverage his strategic, analytical, and talent management skills to consistently drive revenue growth and enhance overall business performance.
Akin is known for fostering strong relationships with clients, partners, and colleagues. With a proven track record of success and a passion for innovation, Akin possesses a blend of expertise and a deep understanding of Corporate and Investment Banking business strategy and governance.
Akin is well-equipped to navigate complex business and portfolio challenges. Akin has an MBA from the University of Warwick, UK, and a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
Amin Manekia (ADM)
Partner
ADM is a career banker having spent almost 35 years in Senior Leadership positions at Citibank, Saudi American Bank (SAMBA), and Ecobank.
Amin's area of specialty is Corporate Banking having worked in diverse markets in Africa, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, the Indian Subcontinent, and the United States. Some of Amin’s notable career roles include serving as Group Executive for Ecobank’s Corporate & Investment Bank and managing Citi’s Corporate Banking Business for Africa.
Amin is a proven Business Leader and has a track record of building and managing businesses especially in times of volatility and in Africa. Amin graduated summa cum laude from the Boston University School of Management with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management in 1988.
Gary Taylor (GT)
Partner
GT, has 35 years of banking experience across Sub-Saharan Africa including 2 years of experience in the CIS Countries of Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan with institutions such as ING Bank, Citibank, Standard Bank and Barclays Africa/ABSA.
Gary was the Group Head of Credit for Ecobank Transnational Inc. and held that role for three years where he completely re-engineered the credit operating model and was responsible for a balance sheet of c. $20 Billion across 34 countries in Africa and was the Chairman of Ecobank’s resolution vehicle that was responsible for the recovery of challenged assets primarily from the Nigerian franchise.
Gary’s experience is in the Risk Management discipline with a focus on Credit Risk. Gary has also covered Market Risk and Operational Risk and has been responsible for Credit Risk across consumer/retail, commercial, and predominantly corporate and investment banking (covering the public sector, country risk, property finance, asset-based finance, mergers and acquisitions, structured trade and commodity finance, metals, and mining, power, and infrastructure amongst others).
Gary was a Level 2 Senior Credit Officer with Citibank and has chaired the most senior credit approval committees at Standard Bank and Ecobank. Gary has a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons.) Degree with UNISA, with majors in Risk Management and Business Management.