Babatounde Yessoufou drives Africa’s growth through sustainable finance innovation

In the evolving landscape of African development finance, few figures embody the fusion of innovation, impact, and integrity quite like Babatounde Yessoufou, a visionary development banker and social entrepreneur reshaping how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) access capital across the continent.

With a career spanning commercial banking, impact investing, and social enterprise, Yessoufou represents a new generation of African leaders building systems where profit meets purpose.

In an interview with BusinessDay, Tolulope Popoola speaks with Yessoufou about his journey, the principles driving his success, and his vision for a sustainable, inclusive future in African finance.

Interview: Babatounde, you’ve built a remarkable career at the intersection of finance, sustainability, and development. What inspired you to take this path?

Yessoufou: The inspiration came from seeing countless African entrepreneurs, especially in agriculture and trade, with brilliant ideas but no access to affordable finance. I wanted to change that. My mission has always been to create systems that allow capital to flow responsibly into sectors that drive real transformation. Finance must serve development, not the other way around.

Interview: You’re known for your time at the African Guarantee Fund (AGF). What were your key contributions there?

Yessoufou: At AGF, I served as Business Development Officer for the WAEMU region, focusing on deploying risk-sharing facilities and delivering SME capacity-building programs. I structured over $300 million in guarantee instruments, unlocking more than $600 million in SME lending across West Africa.

But for me, the true success was in the impact, over 20,000 jobs created and a shift in how banks viewed SMEs. By pairing financial de-risking with technical support, we proved that small businesses aren’t “high-risk”, they’re investable engines of shared growth.

Interview: Before that, you worked in commercial banking. How did that shape your outlook?

Yessoufou: My early years in commercial banking taught me discipline, analytical rigour, and accountability. At Orabank, I managed a $500 million credit portfolio spanning infrastructure, agriculture, and energy. I helped deploy the Ecapro risk-rating software and integrate systems with the Central Bank’s credit bureau.

That experience grounded me in precision and data-driven decision-making. It also taught me that sustainable development starts with sound financial management and that long-term impact requires balancing profit with purpose.

Interview: You’re also an entrepreneur. Tell us about Agro-PAA.

Yessoufou: Agro-PAA was born from the need to make impact investing tangible at the grassroots level. We built a moringa-based agribusiness that empowers women and youth through fair-purchase agreements across Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, and Togo.

It’s more than a business; it’s a social mission. We’re tackling nutrition, gender inclusion, and rural livelihoods, all while ensuring commercial viability. Agriculture, when done right, can drive both profit and social equity.

Interview: You place a lot of emphasis on impact measurement. How do you define success?

Yessoufou: For me, success isn’t just about the size of a deal; it’s about the quality of the outcomes. Every dollar deployed should translate into measurable impact: jobs created, emissions reduced, women empowered.

I always track portfolio performance against development outcomes, not just financial metrics. That discipline ensures that our work creates lasting value on the ground.

Interview: Tell us about your academic journey and how it’s shaped you.

Yessoufou: Education has been the foundation of everything. I earned my Master’s in Banking and Finance from the African Centre of Higher Management Studies in Dakar, with a full merit scholarship from the African Capacity Building Foundation after ranking among the top five candidates continent-wide. That exposure deepened my understanding of macroeconomic policy and regional finance knowledge that’s been instrumental in my work today.

Interview: You’re recognised as a pioneer in sustainable finance. What sets your approach apart?

Yessoufou: I see no conflict between commercial success and social impact. My focus is on designing financial instruments that deliver both. Inclusive finance must also be sustainable finance; otherwise, impact can’t scale.

That’s why I create structures that balance profitability with accessibility. Africa needs financial systems that are not only viable but also deeply rooted in social inclusion.

Interview: You’ve worked across several countries. How has that shaped your leadership?

Yessoufou: Working across Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, and the wider WAEMU region has taught me that no one-size-fits-all solution exists. Effective leadership in Africa starts with listening understanding local contexts before applying global models.

Collaboration with local entrepreneurs, farmers, and banks keeps me grounded. At the end of the day, development is not just about numbers; it’s about building trust.

Interview: Away from finance, what do you do for fun?

Yessoufou: I’m a big fan of Formula One racing, and I admire the precision and teamwork it requires. I also love travelling and reading, especially on behavioural economics and leadership. Those hobbies keep me sharp and inspired.

Interview: Finally, what advice would you give to Africa’s next generation of leaders?

Yessoufou: Start where you are, with what you have, and aim for excellence. Africa doesn’t need imported solutions; rather, it needs innovators who understand local realities and can think beyond boundaries. Be ethical, stay disciplined, and always remember: behind every number is a human story.

From managing multimillion-dollar portfolios to building women-led agribusinesses across West Africa, Babatounde Yessoufou exemplifies what it means to lead with purpose. His career, which is grounded in integrity, innovation, and inclusion, reflects the promise of a new African economy where finance fuels not just growth, but dignity.