About EMpact
EMpact is a consultancy firm and startup accelerator serving Francophone West Africa, in partnership with BFA Global. We are passionately focused on Food Security, Climate Impact, AI for Development, Financial & Digital inclusion, Agri-industry, Livelihoods, and Social & Gender Inclusion.
Our Leadership
Sami Lahoud
Co-founder & CEO
- Global business leader across emerging markets, with deep communications background
- Retired from Mastercard in Nov 2022 after 10 years in senior roles in Communications, Merchant Acceptance, and Public Private Partnerships. Deep focus on financial inclusion and the development of equitable payments ecosystems
- Senior Communications roles with Barclays Bank and Boeing in Emerging Markets, preceded by consultancy roles with Hill & Knowlton and Weber Shandwick
- A native of Lebanon, Master of Banking & Finance, lived and worked in Beirut, Bahrain, Jeddah, Dubai, New York. Relocated to Côte d'Ivoire in July 2023 to get closer to frontier markets and agriculture supply chains
Lina Kacyem
Chief Operating Officer
- Seasoned investor and startup mentor
- Deep portfolio management experience in West Africa
- Over 15 years of experience in innovative financial services
- Fund Management, Investment Portfolios, Due Diligence, Business Strategy