International Conference Banque de France - FERDI – AFD : The role of the financial sector in combating climate change in Africa

This conference follows on from a conference held in July 2021 entitled “Facing climate change: what financial choices for Africa?”, whose conclusions highlighted Africa's disproportionate vulnerability to climate change and the need to mobilize all stakeholders to finance mitigation and adaptation.

The November 2025 conference aims to examine in detail the role of financial intermediaries (banks, insurance companies, investment funds, rating agencies, central banks, and development banks) as well as public financing in catalyzing private capital. 

↪ Conference comprising three webinars spread over three days from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. 
↪ Conference with simultaneous French/English translation. 

Webinar 1: November 3, 2025

What is the role and impact of private financial intermediaries in combating climate change in Africa?

• Role of the private financial sector in combating climate change
• Measuring and regulating climate finance
• Measuring the effects of climate change on investments 

Welcome remarks:

• Agnès Bénassy-Quéré, Deputy Governor of the Banque de France
• Patrick Guillaumont, President of FERDI
• Thomas Melonio, Chief Economist, Executive Director of Innovation, Strategy and Research at the Agence française de développement (AFD)

Keynote:

• Paul Derreumaux, Honorary Chairman of Bank of Africa (BOA)

Moderator:

• Djedjiga Kachenoura, Coordinator on Climate and Sustainable Finance, Proparco  

Panelists:

• Nabil Bahr, Deputy Director of Banking Supervision at Bank Al-

Maghrib

• Tomas Hos, Senior Analyst at the TOSSD Secretariat, OECD
• Ali Mbaye, Professor at Cheikh Anta Diop University
• Aude Verries, Head of Governance and SRI at CNP Assurances

Webinar 2: November 4, 2025

The role of public development banks in mobilizing and allocating funding for the fight against climate change. 

• The role of international and domestic public development banks 
• The leverage effects of public resources 
• Public development banks in the financial architecture of development 

Keynote:

• Rémy Rioux, Chief Executive Officer of the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) Group and Chair of the Finance in Common Summit (FiCS) 

Moderator:

• Laurent Clerc, Deputy Director General for Statistics, Studies and International Relations at the Banque de France

Panelists:

• Claire Cheremetinski, Deputy Director General at the Directorate General of the Treasury 
• Serge Ekué, President of the West African Development Bank (BOAD)
• Ambroise Fayolle, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank (to be confirmed)
• Mohamed Ali Bensouda, General Secretary of the Caisse de Dépôt et de Gestion of Morocco
• Kampeta Pitchette Sayinzoga, Director General of the Development Bank of Rwanda

Webinar 3: November 5, 2025

What role should central banks and banking supervisors play in combating climate change?

• Banking Supervision and Macroprudential Tools
• Financial Stability
• Monetary Policy and Climate Risk Integration 

Keynote:

• Laurent Clerc, Deputy Director General for Statistics, Studies and International Relations at the Banque de France

Moderator:

• Bruno Cabrillac, Director General of FERDI

Panelists:

• Aiva Andrianarivelo, Governor of the Central Bank of Madagascar (Banky Foiben’i Madagasikara)
• Yvon Sana Bangui, Governor of the Bank of Central African States (BEAC)
• Raphaël Poignet, Adviser to the Representative of the European Central Bank on the Prudential Supervision Board
• Amadou Sy, Deputy Director and Division Chief in the African Department and Regional Studies Division of the IMF