We’re excited to announce that Dhamana is now officially a member of the IPFA.
As the global association for infrastructure and energy finance professionals, IPFA brings together industry leaders and emerging voices to drive collaboration, knowledge exchange, and innovation. Our membership reflects Dhamana’s dedication to advancing sustainable finance across East Africa and reinforces our role in shaping the future of infrastructure and energy financing.
This exciting announcement is matched by another proud milestone: our CEO, Christopher Olobo, sitting on the IPFA East Africa Council. His two-decade journey in infrastructure finance and deep commitment to unlocking domestic capital for regional development makes him a fitting voice at the table.
Chris’s career in project finance began 20 years ago as a young civil engineering graduate at Mott MacDonald in Southampton. A defining opportunity came with a three-month assignment in Uganda, evaluating the viability of funding the Jinja Nile Bridge through project finance. That experience sparked an obsession with infrastructure finance, one that led him through self-learning marathons, industry events, and a 99% rejection rate until finally landing at PwC UK in 2007. After a 12-year chapter at the IFC, he joined Dhamana in 2023 to lead our mission of mobilizing local capital for development.
"Being invited to join the IPFA East Africa Council is an incredible honor," Chris says. "I’m also honored to represent our region alongside brilliant professionals like Mphokolo Makara and Beatrice Nyabira."
As a council member, Chris aims to raise awareness of Project Finance in East Africa and make it more accessible to industry players. He’s also committed to growing IPFA’s Future Leaders Network, creating more opportunities for young professionals in the region to engage, grow (personally and professionally), and shape the future of infrastructure and energy finance.
In a recent IPFA interview, Chris emphasized his passion for championing local currency financing for infrastructure in East Africa:
"This reduces forex risks, more importantly attracts domestic institutional investors (like pension funds)…With the right structures and risk-sharing tools, we can make these investments attractive, stable, and impactful. That’s the main reason I chose to leave my role at IFC to join the project development team and help complete the setup of Dhamana."
At Dhamana, this mission is our DNA. Our innovative guarantee model, offering up to 100% payment guarantees, helps unlock long-term, local currency financing while simplifying complex deals and protecting investors. As a creditor with real capital at risk, we actively monitor and assess projects throughout their lifecycle, reducing the transaction costs and risks that often scare institutional investors.
Our membership in IPFA is not just symbolic, it’s strategic. It gives Dhamana a stronger voice in regional and global finance conversations and enhances our ability to build critical partnerships and share expertise that move the needle. Chris’s appointment to the IPFA East Africa Council further positions us to lead, learn, and collaborate at the highest levels.
As Chris says, "Be consistent. Small efforts lead to big wins. And always treat people well, relationships and integrity matter more than titles."
We couldn't agree more. Let's keep building the future.
Visit the IPFA Website for Full Interview https://www.ipfa.org/new-east-africa-council-member-from-dhamana/
