Appointed one year ago as the new CEO of the Banque Internationale pour l’Industrie et le Commerce, Arsène Mahougnon DANSOU is an accomplished financial expert with almost 20 years of experience in various sectors, including banking, infrastructure financing structuring, energy, agribusiness, credit insurance, and sovereign debt management. He holds a Master’s degree in Accounting and Financial Sciences and Techniques from the Catholic University of Central Africa and a specialized Master’s degree in International Finance from NEOMA Business School in Rouen, France. Mr. Dansou has an exceptional track record in financial analysis, innovative financing, risk management, credit and political risk insurance, and public debt management. He has worked in various roles in the audit and accounting sector in Cameroon, banking in Cameroon and Benin, private equity in France, credit, investment and political risks insurance based in Kenya covering the African continent.
Recently appointed as Managing Director and CEO of Banque Internationale pour l’Industrie et le Commerce (BIIC) in Benin, Mr. Dansou is committed to make the bank the leading financial institution in the country. Before assuming his current position, he played a crucial role in managing Benin’s sovereign debt office for almost four years, where he contributed to reforms and developed a new financing strategy for the country’s economic development program. Mr. Dansou’s management philosophy consists in building sustainable solutions with his teams that lead to positive and impactful results. His primary goal is to be an active participant in the rise of a new Benin by, contributing in the building of a transformed, strong, and prosperous Nation through his work.
Arsène’s Impressive Career Journey and Accomplishments
Arsène’s career prior to joining BIIC has been primarily focused on commercial banking, financing SMEs and local companies, and private equity dedicated to SMEs in France. He began his career at CITI BANK Cameroon (Yaounde branch), where he gained a passion for transforming the economic ecosystem by supporting and financing companies and projects led by men and women to impact the daily lives of the population.
Dansou later joined Ecobank Benin and United Bank for Africa (UBA) Benin, gaining valuable experience. His roles ranged from Credit Analyst, credit risk Management to Head of Environmental and Social (E&S) Risk Management, Market Risk Management, Credit Administration, and ultimately, Head of Local Corporate Business Development. After gaining tremendous of experience in commercial banking, Dansou ventured into private equity dedicated to SMEs in France.
He then moved into credit and political risk insurance with the African Trade Insurance Agency (ATI-ACA) headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya. At ATI-ACA, he served as an experienced Credit Analyst covering French and English-speaking countries and then was promoted as Regional Underwriter for Francophone Africa, where he managed ATI’s underwriting and development activities, particularly in West and Central Africa.
During his time at ATI-ACA, Arsène significantly contributed to the remarkable presence of ATI-ACA in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECAC) through several accomplishments, including the increase of ATI’s interventions in Benin, growing the portfolio from 40 million USD to 1 billion USD, the membership of Cote d’Ivoire, Niger, Senegal, and Cameroon, and the strengthening of ATI’s status as a partner and preferred creditor of the governments of Benin and Cote d’Ivoire.
In October 2018, he was seconded by the African Trade Insurance Agency (ATI-ACA) to the Government of the Republic of Benin, one of its member countries. During this time, he served as General Manager of the Debt Management office (Caisse Autonome d’Amortissement – CAA), under the Ministry of Economy and Finance. Under Dansou’s leadership, the debt management office implemented bold reforms, executed innovative transactions, diversified funding sources, and adopted the best debt repayment and transparency practices. These efforts garnered numerous accolades for their exceptional work. For example, Benin was ranked as the number one International Development Association (IDA) country for debt transparency. It became Africa’s first Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Bond issuer.
Arsène has also received several awards and distinctions, including the “Best Sovereign Finance and Treasury Agency of the Year 2021” award at the Bonds, Loans and Sukuk Awards Africa in 2022, and the “Deal of the Year Africa” distinction related to the Eurobond Issue dedicated to the financing of projects with high impact on the Sustainable Development Goals. He was honored with the award of Commander of the National Order of Merits of the Republic of Benin after being awared the medal of Officer of the National Order of Merits of the Republic of Benin for his significant contributions to improving the management of public debt and mobilizing innovative financing for the execution of the Benin Government action plan (PAG). His journey continued as he took on the role of General Manager at BIIC in June 2022.
Leading BIIC to Success
As the CEO of Banque Internationale pour l’Industrie et le Commerce (BIIC), Arsène Mahougnon Dansou’s primary responsibility is to lead his team towards the bank’s vision of becoming the leading and preferred bank of the Benin market. He has developed a six-point roadmap that includes promoting regulatory compliance, developing skills and human capital loyalty, enhancing customer focus for sustainable and quality revenue growth, accelerating digital transformation, controlling risks and portfolio quality, and reinforcing financial solidity.
Mr. Dansou’s daily routine starts early in the morning with a walking exercice, followed by preparations and arrival at the office. He begins by reviewing his agenda and urgent emails, checking the cash flow and liquidity situation with the treasury team, and reviewing strategic issues with managers. He spends a considerable amount of time signing off on various authorizations, sometimes alternating with mini-meetings or appointments. His workday often ends really late in the night, reflecting his dedication to achieving positive results through rigor and hard work.
Mr. Dansou’s attention to detail and leadership qualities stem from his prior experience managing a team at a local bank, where he was recognized for his rigorous work ethic. His commitment to achieve a high level of quality has served him well in his current role, where he strives to build solutions with his teams that can lead to positive, impactful, and sustainable results.
Leveraging Expertise and Collaboration for Growth
Arsène Dansou’s extensive background in banking, international finance, and public finance, combined with his knowledge of the banking market and private sector in Benin, have been instrumental in the growth and success of BIIC. As CEO, he has applied best practices in banking and financing, and his collaborative management approach has created a climate of sharing of experiences among the operational teams, leading to substantial results.
By insisting on the contribution of all in the management of projects, he has been able to leverage the expertise of his team by learning from each other to strengthen the bank’s position in the market. His dedication to rigor in work and with his team has also contributed to the bank’s growth and success, as evidenced by his achievements in implementing his six-point roadmap for promoting governance, developing skills, strengthening customer focus, accelerating digital transformation, controlling risks, and reinforcing financial solidity.
Cultivating a Culture of Integrity
Arsène has quickly understood that the banking industry relies heavily on trust and integrity. He has then made it a top priority by cultivating a culture of integrity within Banque Internationale pour l’Industrie et le Commerce. To achieve this, Arsène has strongly encouraged his managers to lead by example and promote on a daily basis the importance of integrity among their teams.
Arsène has demonstrated his commitment to this culture by setting a personal example and raising awareness of the importance of integrity throughout the organization. He understands that a culture of integrity not only builds trust with customers but also fosters innovation and encourages employees to take risks in pursuit of creative solutions.
Through Arsène’s leadership, Banque Internationale pour l’Industrie et le Commerce has established a strong reputation as a trustworthy and innovative financial institution, reflecting the culture of integrity and innovation that Arsène has instilled within the organization.
Challenges
As a leader in the banking industry, Arsène has faced numerous challenges. One of the most significant challenges he has encountered is gaining the acceptance of his team and inspiring them to adhere to his vision of taking ownership of the mission entrusted to them. However, he believes that there are some tricks that can help overcome such obstacles. According to Arsène, setting a clear vision that outlines the mission trajectory is essential. He also emphasizes the importance of getting the teams on board and ensuring that they fully comply with the vision and the strategic axes that can be refined with the contribution of other managers. In addition, he believes that involving all personnel, each in their area of expertise, can enrich the solutions and guarantee impactful results.
Another critical aspect on which Arsène gives real priority is the training approach. He believes that a strong focus on training can help develop the skills and competencies of the team members, thereby enabling them to contribute more effectively to the organization’s mission. Moreover, Arsène believes that rigor is an essential ingredient in any leadership approach. He has always maintained that without rigor, positive results cannot be obtained durably. In addition, Arsène places a strong emphasis on listening. He believes that listening to the team members’ concerns and feedback is critical to building a culture of trust and integrity within the organization. In his view, effective leaders must be willing to listen and act on the input received from their teams.
Key Elements for Overcoming Challenges
Arsène Dansou’s most meaningful recognition as a leader was the heartfelt tribute he received from the staff of the “Caisse Autonome d’Amortissement” (CAA) upon leaving his position as CEO to take on his role at BIIC. These tributes were a genuine expression of the impact that Arsène’s management style had on his colleagues, and they served as a powerful reminder of the deep relationships he had built with his team members. The recognition he received from those he worked with every day was a testimony to his leadership skills and his ability to inspire those around him to reach their full potential.
Key to Personal and Professional Success
Arsène Dansou has emphasized the importance of maintaining a clear boundary between his personal and professional life. He recognizes that his family is an essential source of support and rejuvenation and has therefore made a conscious effort to keep his work life from encroaching on his family time.
As a public official, Mr. Dansou has endeavored to keep his family separate from his professional life. He does not bring work home in the night or on weekends and makes sure to spend quality time with his family. For Dansou, his family serves as an oasis where he can rejuvenate and refocus on his objectives.
Despite his busy work schedule, Mr. Dansou remains motivated by his passion for finance, which he enjoys sharing with his teams. He understands that maintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial for both personal and professional success, and he strives to achieve this balance in his daily life.
Personal Goals Driving Professional Pursuits
Arsène Dansou has outlined several personal goals that drive his professional pursuits. Firstly, he aims to have a positive impact on his personal and professional environments through his work. This includes his family and loved ones, the company through his colleagues and collaborators, and the customers or beneficiaries of the products/services of the company he leads. Secondly, he aspires to build a multidimensional experience and expertise and an active network in finance in general and SME financing. Finally, Mr. Dansou aims to share his experience and expertise with students and professionals, leaving a lasting legacy in society through his caritative contributions.
Testimonials about Mr. Dansou’s Leadership
John Lentaigne – Global Head of Credit and Political Risk at Tysers Insurance Brokers, UK
John Lentaigne was Chief Underwriting officer, then Acting CEO of the African Trade Insurance Agency before joining Tysers Insurance Brokers
Arsene & I worked together when I was running the underwriting book at ATI. Together we helped in the significant transformation of the institution, growing it into a top-4 African DFI by portfolio size (these days around US$7bn of exposure). In particular Arsene worked with me on some deals that really changed the way that African sovereigns can finance themselves. For instance, in 2017 we helped Benin raise 10-year finance for longer duration and lower all in cost of debt than any of their regional peers – despite the fact that Benin at the time was unrated by the major rating agencies and this was their first major commercial borrowing. We also worked on designing a number of transactions that have crowded in institutional finance from lenders who couldn’t previously lend to African sovereigns, such as Asian pension funds and European life insurance companies.
Arsene worked tirelessly alongside me, late evenings with us both alone in the offices, to ensure these ground-breaking transactions got over the finishing line. He has a high work ethic, unimpeachable integrity, and a commitment to the development agenda. In my opinion he embodies the new generation of extremely competent technocrats that are transforming the perception of Africa as an investment destination, in particular in West Africa. Since working with me he went on to work directly at the Ministry of Finance and subsequently in transforming the BIIC so has clearly flourished now that he’s been given the opportunity of leadership. I look forward to seeing what lies ahead for him.
Helene Karam – Managing Director – Head of AFRICA for Corporate & Investment Banking – EMEA at Natixis CIB, France
Arsène is one of the most delightful people I had the pleasure of working with. Throughout the many years of business relationship, Arsène has shown to be a caring leader and a dealmaker who overcomes challenges and brings constructive solutions. He’s an inspiration on watching him modernize the business processes at BIIC and adapt to changing business from the Ministry of Finance to leading the 1st public bank in Benin.
Majdouline B. ADAMSOULE – Senior Advisor to the Executive Director Africa Group 2 at The World Bank Group, US
Arsene was my manager while I took my position at UBA Benin. I must say that working with him was a delight as he surely was the most human person I ever met. It does make a tremendous difference when you have a superior who tries to comprehend you and pushes to get the most of you by focusing on your best abilities.
Creating a Future of Innovative and Accessible Banking Solutions
Mr. Arsène Dansou envisions Banque Internationale pour l’Industrie et le Commerce (BIIC) as a bank of innovative solutions, accessible to all. To achieve this vision, he has been working diligently with the entire team at the bank to strengthen the organization and governance in line with the requirements of the regulator and international standards.
Furthermore, he has focused on establishing a culture of healthier management practices, promoting a committed staff with well-defined objectives, and offering customers innovative and competitive products and services based on clear texts and procedures.
Moreover, Mr. Dansou plans to implement control tools that meet international standards to guarantee the bank’s security and credibility at all levels. With these measures, he is confident that BIIC will be positioned as a leading financial institution that provides innovative and accessible solutions to all its customers.
BIIC: From Merger to Market Leader in Benin’s Banking Sector
Banque Internationale pour l’Industrie et le Commerce (BIIC) is a commercial and public bank based in Benin. It was formed in June 2020 through the merger of two pre-existing banks, the Banque Internationale du Bénin and the Banque Africaine pour l’Industrie et le Commerce. BIIC has quickly established itself as a significant player in the banking sector of the Benin economy with a network of 15 branches.
Since the appointment of its new leader on June 15, 2022, BIIC has set its sights on becoming the leading bank in the market and the preferred partner of all productive sectors of the economy, particularly SMEs. BIIC’s goal is to offer innovative financing solutions tailored to the realities and constraints of each sector of activity.
By the end of 2022, BIIC had achieved remarkable results, becoming the first bank in Benin according to the sector’s classification criterion. BIIC achieved this feat through a massive reform of its organizational and operational structure, acceleration and finalization of its modernization efforts, the institution of the SME fair, launch of the “Impulse” program, and the “BIIC avec elles” program dedicated to financing and non-financial support for SMEs led by women.
Moving forward, BIIC intends to consolidate its position as the leader in the Benin banking market through innovation, flexibility, and quality of service at international standards. Its strategic axes include maintaining and reinforcing modern governance, developing skills and human capital, densifying its network and accelerating the deployment of digital services and financial inclusion, developing financing and non-financial support solutions, and reinforcing its financial solidity through continuous improvement of all indicators.
BIIC’s positioning as a “strong commercial and public bank, with international standards” includes requirements from the point of view of corporate culture, organizational and institutional structure, solutions and services offered to the customers, and the commitment and involvement of all staff. To maintain this leadership position, BIIC will continue to capitalize on its knowledge of the market and its clientele, develop innovative products and services, and support women-led businesses in all sectors more effectively.
In summary, Dansou embodies the qualities of an exceptional leader, striving for excellence in his personal and professional life. His dedication to establishing BIIC as the premier bank in Benin, his commitment to a balanced life, and his unwavering passion for finance a people make him an inspiring figure for aspiring business leaders. With his vision, drive, and determination, Dansou leaves a lasting legacy and serves as a role model for those seeking success in the competitive business world.
