African Trade Insurance Agency: Prof Kelly Mua first Cameroonian to be elected Board Chair.

The serial author and financial expert was elected during the body’s 101st meeting held recently. His election was announced in a statement issued October 11, 2024, in Nairobi, Kenya.

As new chair of the board, Professor Kelly Mua Kingsly will be deputised by Christina Westholm-Schröder.

The Cameroonian succeeds Dr Yohannes Ayalew Birru, who diligently served for two consecutive terms of three years.

Prof Kelly Mua, the designated representative of the State of Cameroon, was elected Chairman of the said Board, with 65% of the votes against 35%; after having been a Director on the Board of Directors; Chairman of the Audit Committee and Vice-Chairman of the Risk Committee in the same organisation. 

He is the first Cameroonian to hold the position, since the creation of the august institution in 2001. 
Accepting his appointment, the native of Wum, in Menchum Division of the North West Region, said his vision is to support best corporate governance practices within the organisation and drive economic growth that benefits the continent by working closely with ATIDI’s leadership.

“I aim to expand ATIDI’s outreach and visibility across Africa. I encourage all the Central African Economic and Monetary Community, CEMAC countries to consider applying for membership in ATIDI, as this will further strengthen regional cooperation and open new avenues for economic collaboration,” Prof Kelly said.

“I take this opportunity to express my deep appreciation to the outgoing Board Chairman and his team for their outstanding leadership in bringing ATIDI to such a level of performance,” he added.

Prof Kelly Mua boasts proven experience in development, leadership, financial engineering, insurance, international trade and investment.

Since 2016, Prof Kelly Mua has excelled as Head of Financial Operations at the Treasury Department of the Financial and Monetary Cooperation of the Ministry of Finance, MINFI. 

In this role, he has been instrumental in designing and implementing public revenue and expenditure monitoring strategies, preparing comprehensive financial reviews and leading public financial reforms. 

His leadership has systematically promoted innovation, transparency and accountability within strategic organisations and institutions.

Master of all

A graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, HKS, Prof Kelly Mua, in addition to his role at the Ministry of Finance of Cameroon, is Censor at the Central Bank of Central African States, BEAC.

He represents Cameroon on the Regional Consultative Commission on Financial Markets, COSUMAF.

His recent appointment as Cameroon's designated representative to the UNDP and the European Investment Bank for GEF projects underlines his commitment to managing climate finance and strengthening the resilience of regional debt. 

He is also a resident representative of the International Institute of Certified Forensic Investigation Professionals, IICFIP, Canada, and a certified Project Management Professional, PMP. 

Prof Kelly Mua is a specialist in financial engineering and is in charge of State Financial Operations and Franc Zone Project Financing at the Ministry of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development.

He is also a consultant as Programme Manager for projects sponsored by the African Development Bank (AfDB's premier business group); Board Member and Director of the African Chamber of Digital Commerce; UN Focal Point at the Ministry of Finance; Deputy Resident Representative for Operations at the United Nations among others.

Enviable career, strides

Prof Kelly Mua Kingsly is a world-class financial engineer shaping global initiatives with over 25 years of distinguished experience in finance and development.

Prof Kelly Mua Kingsly has established himself as a leading figure in the intersection of sustainable finance and global economic resilience. 

As Director of Financial Operations at Cameroon's Ministry of Finance and in key roles such as Designated Representative of the Global Green Bond Initiative and the Resilient Debt Platform program, Prof Kingsly has demonstrated a relentless commitment to advancing innovative financial solutions. 

His extensive background includes consulting for the African Development Bank and managing major projects under the UNDP-GEF GLOBAL ABS initiative in collaboration with the European Investment Bank. 

As a recognised thought leader, he is the author of 45 books and over 200 peer-reviewed articles, confirming his reputation as a key contributor to the field of finance.

In addition to his impressive professional achievements, Professor Kingsly has made significant strides in academia, imparting his knowledge at prestigious institutions such as Harvard University and the University of Leipzig.

His teaching experience spans several continents, reflecting a global perspective that enriches his approach to financial advice and political strategy. 

A founding member and director of various organisations, including the African Chamber of Digital Commerce and the African Development Bank's portfolio of programs, he embodies collaborative leadership and change management.

Prof Kingsly's multifaceted career is a testament to his commitment to promoting sustainable economic growth and his vision of a resilient financial future.

Prof Kelly Mua Kingsly is a distinguished executive with expertise in international financial management, public policy consulting and financial investigations. 

With an impressive track record in resource mobilisation, project development and operations management, he has played a crucial role in improving organisational processes and project profitability in various sectors.

Solid education background, distinctions

Prof Kelly Mua’s extensive government experience is complemented by his academic qualifications, which include a PhD in Public Policy and Business Management, a Master’s in Public Administration, a Masters in Leadership and Decision Sciences, a Masters in English Common Law and an MBA in Public Finance Management. 

These qualifications, along with his certifications as a forensic finance expert, forensic finance investigator, procurement and logistics expert and project management expert, as well as his role as an audit professor, underline his deep understanding of the financial landscape. 

His contributions to the field have been recognised as a Knight of the National Order of Valour, numerous awards for excellence, outstanding performance, distinguished leadership and lifetime achievement awards.

The task ahead of him with ATIDI

Founded by African states to cover the commercial and investment risks of companies doing business in Africa, ATIDI mainly provides political risk insurance, credit insurance and bond insurance. 

Since its inception, ATIDI has supported investment and commercial transactions worth $78 billion in Africa. With the aim of covering all 54 African states, ATIDI is currently active in 29 countries including Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe, with applications for membership from a further 24 countries currently under consideration.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No: 3261 of Wednesday October 16, 2024