Astou DIA
Name: Astou Dia (Senegal)
Role: Expert
Experience: +17 years
Key Areas of Expertise
- Private Sector Development & Entrepreneurship
- Investment Readiness & Venture Capital
- Strategic and Organizational Support (governance, operational efficiency, organizational transformation)
- Leadership Training and Coaching
Relevant Experience (Not Exhaustive):
- Supported entrepreneurs, businesses, and institutions in developing the private sector in Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Led strategic and operational initiatives to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem and improve SME access to finance. Designed and implemented support programs for over 700 startups and SMEs across Francophone Africa. Collaborated with investment funds and financial institutions to structure tailored financing solutions for high-potential enterprises, enabling their growth and international market access.
- Worked with governments, international organizations, donors, and private companies on transforming economic and social ecosystems across sectors like agriculture, health, financial inclusion, education, youth and women employment. Led over 30 major projects (country strategies, sectoral strategies, market studies, value chain analyses, program design, impact evaluations, establishment of governance mechanisms, organizational review and efficiency, etc.) for entities like the Gates Foundation, World Bank, AfDB, IFC, Mastercard Foundation, Ford Foundation, GAVI, among others.
- Conducted strategic due diligence for American and European investment funds.
- Served on several investment committees, contributing to funding high-impact African initiatives.
- Played a key role in establishing investment clubs and funds, including the Women’s Investment Club (WIC) and WIC Capital in Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire.
- Led operational transformation projects for major banking groups in Europe and West Africa.
