Development finance institution the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) president Dr Akinwumi Adesina has appointed former Senegal Minister Amadou Hott as his special envoy and global champion for the Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa (AGIA).

The AGIA was established to accelerate Africa’s transition to net zero by mobilising, at scale and speed, investments needed to bridge the infrastructure gap for the continent’s low-carbon and climate-resilient development.

The AGIA will mobilise up to $500-million needed for a robust pipeline of bankable, greener projects. This is projected to generate up to $10-billion in investment opportunities from a combination of co-investments, co-financing, risk mitigation and blended finance, the AfDB says.

Hott brings a wealth of experience in resource mobilisation, public-private partnerships (PPPs), sustainable energy and infrastructure finance and investment banking. He has strong relationships with African policymakers, development partners and strategic and institutional investors to mobilise significant capital for green infrastructure project development and financing in Africa, the AfDB says.

Until September 2021, Hott was Senegal’s Minister for Economy, Planning and Cooperation. During his tenure, the country implemented landmark economic reforms, including the Economic and Social Resilience Plan and the reform of PPPs.

Further, before joining government, Hott was AfDB group VP for power, energy, green growth and climate change. During his tenure, the group significantly increased investments in renewable energy. In 2017, he helped the AfDB allocate 100% of its power generation investments in renewable energies.

Prior to joining the AfDB, Hott served in structured finance, sovereign wealth fund management, and the development of integrated energy solutions in various major markets including New York, London, Dubai and Lagos.

Hott holds an Associate degree in Applied Mathematics from Louis Pasteur University in Strasbourg, France; a bachelor’s degree in Economics; and a master’s degree in Financial Markets and Banking Management from Sorbonne University, Paris. In 2012, the World Economic Forum nominated him as a Young Global Leader.

“I am honoured to champion this great initiative under president Adesina’s visionary and impactful leadership. The alliance will support Africa’s transition to net-zero emissions.

“We need to frontload investments in infrastructure for Africa to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 and to develop the continent. I look forward to working with all regional and global stakeholders and partners to succeed in this new challenge,” Hott comments.

“I am delighted to have former Minister Amadou Hott as my special envoy to globally champion the alliance and help mobilise significant resources and stakeholders for more green investments in Africa. He has a strong track record of mobilising resources and multi-stakeholder engagement for key initiatives, particularly in green infrastructure,” says Adesina.