Cameroon: Fri Asanga Appointed Chief Executive of Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation.

By Boris Esono Nwenfor

Ms Fri Asanga has been named as the new Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of the Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation, a position that takes effect from October 1, 2021. Her appointment was confirmed by the Board of Directors of the said Foundation and she takes over from Dr William H. Arrey who stepped down on March 1, 2021.

She had been serving as the Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation since March 2021 before her latest appointment. Fri Asanga has also been the Chief Operating Officer, COO, of the Foundation since 2019.

Announcing her appointment, the Co-Chair of the Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation, Dr Denis A. Foretia, MD MPH MBA said: "Ms Asanga's strong performance and ability demonstrated during her role as interim CEO made her not only the first choice of the Board, but the overwhelming best individual to lead the Foundation going forward."

"Fri (Asanga) brings deep experience, passion, and a strong commitment to catalysing Africa's economic transformation," Dr Denis Foretia added.

"We are extremely excited to have such a seasoned, compassionate and talented leader as we embark on the next chapter of making a lasting impact at the national and continental level."

Dr Denis Foretia went on to thank Odette Kibu, PhD, who provided invaluable assistance to the Board during the search process.

"I am thrilled and humbled by the opportunity to lead the Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation," Ms Asanga said upon her appointment as the new CEO.

"In collaboration with the team members, supporters, partners, and senior leadership, I look forward to building on our many successes and take advantage of various opportunities to expand our policy impact across many sectors."

Before joining the Foundation as Chief Operating Officer, she was the Coordinator for FinScope and MAP Cameroon where she oversaw the activities of the financial scoping consumer survey in Cameroon on behalf of UNCDF and FinMark Trust. She has deep expertise in the microfinance sector haven spent more than 15 years working on financial inclusion for the most vulnerable groups in society. Before her work with FinScope and MAP Cameroon, she served as Advisor with the UNCDF Microlead project where she helped established the computerization of networks of CVECA as well as the piloting of branchless banking at some microfinance institutions.

Ms Fri Asanga also has broad experience in risk management, micro-insurance schemes, training in financial literacy as well as social accountability. As Chief Operating Officer she was responsible for overall operational efficiency with the supervision of grant management processes and human resources. She holds a master's in business administration (MBA) from the United States International University-Africa in Nairobi, Kenya and a bachelor's degree from the University of Lagos in Nigeria.

About the Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation

The Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation was established to catalyze Africa's economic transformation by focusing on social entrepreneurship, science and technology, innovation, public health, and progressive policies that create economic opportunities for all. The foundation works in partnership with local governments, policymakers, private enterprises, civil society organizations as well as development partners to expand the resources available to entrepreneurs, farmers, and small business owners in addition to improving individual livelihoods.

The Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation is a charitable, not-for-profit organization that relies on donations and Board support. We receive donations from hundreds of individuals around the world, as well as institutional grants, project grants and gifts. The Foundation is in consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).