Discreet but extremely professional, Salimatou Issoufa Harou, 24 years old from Niger, obtained a Certificate in Corporate Finance (HEC Paris). After 6 months of internship in the Infrastructure and Partnership Department (PICU3) of the African Development Bank (AfDB), she tells us about the most striking moments of her internship. Meeting.

NEPAD-IPPF: Salimatou Issoufa, you are a junior auditor, assistant to the management controller and the financial accountant. You obtained a Certificate in Corporate Finance (HEC Paris) after an online training. You did a 6-month internship in the Infrastructure and Partnership Department (PICU3) under the supervision of Mike Salawou. What is the purpose of this department and what were your missions?

Salimatou Issoufa: Yes, I did a 6-month internship in the Infrastructure, Cities and Urban Development Department (PICU), and more specifically in the Infrastructure and Partnerships Division (PICU.3). The mission of the PICU Department is to strengthen the transformative role of the sector (Infrastructure and Urban Development) in the achievement of the Bank's five key priorities, namely: Lighting and Powering Africa, Feeding Africa, Industrializing Africa, Integrating Africa, and Improving the Quality of Life for Africans.

The PICU.3 Infrastructure and Partnerships Division is led by Mike Salawou and focuses on four main pillars: New Partnership for Africa's Development-Infrastructure Project Preparation Facility (NEPAD-IPPF), Infrastructure Consortium for Africa (ICA), Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and Partnerships.

    Throughout this internship, I was most involved in the management activities of the NEPAD-IPPF project portfolio

Among other tasks, I will mention the analysis of disbursements related to project preparation.


NEPAD-IPPF: What is your distinction between NEPAD-IPPF, ICA and PPP?

Salimatou Issoufa: The best way to distinguish between these three tools is to recall the objective of each of them, although all three have a common overall objective of promoting sustainable infrastructure in Africa.

    NEPAD-IPPF, ICA and PPP aim to promote sustainable infrastructure in Africa

    The role of the NEPAD-IPPF Special Fund is to provide technical and financial assistance to regional and continental infrastructure project owners to prepare viable, high-quality projects in the energy, transboundary water resources management, transport and ICT sectors, so that they are ready to seek financing from public and private sources.


    The ICA's mission is to strive to increase the financing of sustainable infrastructure development in Africa in order to improve the living conditions and economic well-being of the people.


    The PPP's mission is to promote the optimization of sustainable infrastructure resources in Africa to support economic growth and private sector development.

NEPAD-IPPF: The pandemic forces you to telecommute, you are based in Niamey, how has your daily life been with PICU3?

Salimatou Issoufa: In the current context of the pandemic, it was impossible for me to work in Abidjan. So I did the 6 months of the internship remotely, from my home in Niamey.

Daily, tasks were submitted to me via Outlook messaging, or by call on Microsoft Lync. Many of the division's meetings were held via Zoom or Microsoft teams.

    The virtual world does not hinder the assignment or supervision of tasks

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has hosted many interesting virtual events, such as webinars and even online fitness sessions (to keep fit). I have also attended some very rewarding training sessions organized by the Bank.


NEPAD-IPPF: What was your most memorable experience during these 6 months?

Salimatou Issoufa: My most memorable experience was attending the ICA virtual consultation meeting that was held in December 2020. One-on-one meetings were held with all current ICA members and potential members. The purpose was to present an update to current members and to present the next year's work program on ICA activities; on the other hand, the meeting was to present to potential members the objectives of the ICA and the benefits of the win-win partnership they could undertake.


NEPAD-IPPF: In the long term, do you aspire to a career in Africa or internationally?

Salimatou Issoufa: Currently, I am working on a project to specialize in Information Systems Audit. I recently passed the CERTIFIED INFORMATION SYSTEMS AUDITOR commonly known as CISA.

    I am looking for an opportunity in an Information Systems Consultancy or any other organization with a team of Auditors

I am looking for an opportunity in an Information Systems Consultancy or any other organization with a team of auditors. In order to be certified, you must have at least 2 years of professional experience in the field of information systems, after passing the exam.

I want to continue my education with an additional degree in the field of information systems. And without hesitation, I will make a career in Africa.

    As an African of origin and nationality, I consider myself to be "a product MADE IN AFRICA".

It is obvious for me to bring my modest contribution to the development of Africa, my "home".

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