Batchi Baldeh

Director, Power Systems

African Development Bank

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Mr. Batchi Baldeh is an investment banker, infrastructure developer and utility management specialist, with over 34 years of professional experience across the power value chain and financing capital structure. Mr. Baldeh is currently the Director of Power Systems Development at the African Development Bank (AfDB), which he joined in May, 2017. He was responsible for the management of the AfDB’s private sector energy loan portfolio from February 2018 to March 2020.

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Prior to joining AfDB, Mr. Baldeh was the Director – Power Business, Investments Division, at the Africa Finance Corporation. He has also been a consultant to the World Bank, European Union / BizClim and Government of Lesotho; and was the pioneer Managing Director of Gambia’s National Water and Electricity Company, from 1995 – 1999.

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He is a Non-executive Director of the AFC and Development Bank of Nigeria (representing AfDB). He also served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Cabeolica S.A. and Cenpower Operations and Services Limited; and an Alternate Director and Technical Committee member of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (representing AFC).

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Mr. Baldeh holds an MBA from Boston University (USA) and BSc – Honours in Electrical & Electronic Engineering from Newcastle-upon-Tyne University (UK). He is a member of the Institute of Engineering & Technology (UK) and a Fellow of the Institute of Directors, Southern Africa. He is well respected for his experience in developing, structuring and successfully managing power projects and utilities in complex technical, economic and socio-political environments.

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He has successfully led teams to provide advice on policy formulation, implementation strategy, institutional reforms and investments in power and water infrastructure development.

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He has a solid track record of structuring finance for large-scale infrastructure projects in the private and public sectors across Africa, including renewable energy projects, Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and supporting the West African Power Pool. Baldeh is the Chairman of the Board of two AFC investee companies, Cabeolica SA and Cenpower Operations Services Limited.

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The President of the African Development Bank, Akinwumi Adesina, said of the appointment: “I am delighted Henry Paul Batchi Baldeh is joining the Bank. He brings a solid track record of practical experience in the power sector, development of advisory services, project development and management of power utilities. Henry is well respected within Africa’s power sector. He will be an asset to the Bank as we roll out our work on transforming Africa’s power sector.”