The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has appointed Darya (“Dasha”) Dougans its first Head of Benin, which became an EBRD member and country of operation earlier this year.

Ms Dougans will be based in Cotonou and will lead the establishment of the EBRD’s presence and business in the country, reporting to Heike Harmgart, Managing Director for sub-Saharan Africa.

The move follows approval by the EBRD Governors – at the EBRD’s 2023 Annual Meeting in Samarkand – of amendments to the Agreement Establishing the EBRD, enabling the Bank to operate in sub-Saharan Africa and Iraq.

Commenting on her appointment, Ms Dougans said:
“It is an honour to take on this role and to launch our activities in the country. I look forward to working closely with our partners, the business community and stakeholders to build on the country’s existing strengths, unlock new investment opportunities and contribute to economic growth and the sustainable development of Benin’s vibrant private sector.”

A dual British and American national, Ms Dougans holds a master’s in business administration from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from University of Pennsylvania . She joined the Bank in 2002 as part the International Professionals Programme. After then working in Lehman Brothers’s private equity team in London, she rejoined the EBRD in 2009 and was most recently a Lead Senior Risk Officer in the Corporate Recovery team.

The EBRD promotes private-sector development in 39 economies across three continents. It aims to make them competitive, inclusive, well governed, green, resilient and integrated. Since its inception in 1991 the Bank has invested more than €215 billion, of which 79 per cent are in the private sector.

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