The Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF), part of the Private Infrastructure Development Group, has appointed Emilio Cattaneo as its first Executive Director.

In his role at EAIF, Cattaneo will focus on implementing the Fund’s growth strategy, securing deeper penetration of the sectors EAIF lends to, providing strategic advice to the board and strengthening and widening relations with donor governments, banks, advisers and key audiences in Africa and Europe.

Other duties include the supervision of EAIF’s sub-contracted fund managers and other third party service providers to the Fund, and matters of compliance, governance and business efficiency.

Commenting on his appointment, Cattaneo said: “Over nearly 15 years, EAIF has established its reputation as a valued component in economic development in sub-Saharan Africa. We want to build on our success in traditional infrastructure, broaden our portfolio across the infrastructure spectrum and have greater penetration into new economy areas, particularly in digital infrastructure and allied systems, in order to meet the needs of rapidly changing African markets.”

“I am delighted to be to bringing my professional abilities to bear on work that builds Africa’s stock of infrastructure assets and helps promote development and combat poverty,” he said.

Cattaneo has deep experience of emerging markets and the infrastructure sector, equity and debt products and of managing financial services businesses.

He joins EAIF from Climate Change Capital, a London-based fund manager, where he was Director of Asset Management, closely involved in the development of an African private equity agri-business and renewable energy fund.

Subsequently he worked in a number of smaller firms, including an advisory M&A boutique that he founded and ran for seven years and in a commodity brokerage firm focused on emerging markets, including Africa.

He spent close to 20 years with HSBC in the UK and abroad.

David White, EAIF’s chairman, said that Cattaneo was the outstanding candidate for the post: “He has the blend of intellectual weight, professional background and engaging personality needed to be a success in boardrooms and government offices in Africa and Europe.”

The Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund is the world’s first debt fund for sub-Saharan Africa.

EAIF, a direct investment vehicle mobilizing public and private capital, works with private sector businesses, African and European banks and other development finance organizations and agencies.

To date, EAIF has invested $1.1bn in 58 projects in 17 countries.