CURRICULUM VITAE

PERSONAL INFORMATION

*.Family Name: EBUETSE

2.First Names: JAMES ONAZORTENA

3.Date of birth: 1st March 1958

4.Passport Holder: N/A

5.Residence: 15 Gabas Crescent, FHA, Karu, Abuja.

6.Email Address: adqmzy@r.postjobfree.com; adqmzy@r.postjobfree.com

7.Education:

Institution : Date from- Date to

Degree(s) or Diploma(s) obtained:

Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria: January 1995 - August 1997.

Master’s degree in Business administration (MBA) in Finance.

University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria: September 1973 – June 1978.

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Agriculture.

8.Language skills:

Language

Reading

Speaking

Writing

English

Proficient

Proficient

Proficient

9.Membership of professional bodies:

University of Oxford Business School Alumni Association.

Ahmadu Bello University Alumni Association

University of Nigeria Alumni Association

10.Other qualifications:

Said Business School, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom (UK) : 9th – 20th May 2011.

Certificates in Strategic Leadership and Scenarios

University of the North Turfloop Graduate School of Leadership,

Southern New Hampshire, School of Community Economic Development, Limpopo Province, South Africa : 6th – 24th September 2004

Microenterprises and Development Certificate

Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), member of the Multilateral World Bank Group: 4th – 15th February 2002

Investment Promotion Skills Certificate

University of Cape Town, Graduate Business School, Cape Town, South Africa: June 24 – July 5, 2013.

Management Development in Investment Certificate

11. Current Position: Director, Policy/ Enabling Business Environment, USAID Feed The Future Nigeria Agribusiness Investment Activity

12.Years within the firm: 2 years

13.Key qualifications:

Executive Leadership: Provides strategic leadership and guidance to key institutions in the public and private sectors on promoting Nigeria as the destination in Africa for investment activities. Sets strategy for policy advocacy and national competitiveness to ensure that set goals and objectives are met as well as builds linkages between Nigerian and international businesses to promote sustainable economic partnerships, growth, job creation and poverty reduction. Expertise in assisting local small firms in finding potential export markets and seeking linkage opportunities and to facilitate foreign investors in local sourcing and developing linkages with local suppliers.

Investment Policy: Significant experience promoting policies that will ensure more beneficial investment in the country. Conversant with key reforms in the business environment, the implementation of transparent, simplified, harmonized investment policies and procedures to promote a competitive and efficient economy. An integral member of the inter-ministerial committee on doing business (currently known as the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council) which appraise Nigeria’s competitiveness ranking and advise government on measures to improve the country’s global competitiveness ranking in the ease of doing business. Strong ability to assess investors’ perception of Nigeria’s business environment for the purposes of recommending appropriate policy reforms and providing effective aftercare services to investors. Spearheaded the development of Sector Specific Investment Incentives Policy to ensure a predictable and stable policy environment by eliminating as much as possible distortions often created by grant of discretionary concessions and privileges as well as a level playing ground for all investors.

SME and Agricultural Credit Administration: More than 25 years of experience in private sector development, agricultural financing, investment promotion including sector competitiveness and regional development as well as the development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Extensive experience promoting foreign direct investment into the Nigerian economy through direct marketing, advocacy and value chain development resulting in increased sector investment and income generation. Strong business linkages with chambers of commerce, bilateral business associations, commodity associations seeking expansion in global markets.

Project Management: Coordinated on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, the World Bank’s seven-year, $32M Nigeria Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Project in Lagos, Kaduna and Abia States, which was rated the Best amongst the nine similar World Bank assisted MSME Projects in Africa between 2007 and 2011. Extensive experience providing leadership to global committees, investigative commissions and institutions established to investigate critical and politically sensitive issues with direct impact on national and regional economies.

14.Specific experience in the country or specific mission:

Country

Date

Nigeria : Project Coordinator, the World Bank’s seven-year, $32 million Nigeria Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises(MSMEs) Project in three states.

October 2006 – December 2011

15.Professional Experience:

Date

Location

Company

Position

Description

October 2018 – To date

Nigeria

USAID Feed The Future Nigeria Agribusiness Investment Activity

DIRECTOR

The Activity aims to improve the business and enabling environment to promote private sector investment in agriculture and agribusiness along the maize, rice, soybean, cowpea and aquaculture value chains in Benue, Ebonyi, Delta, Cross River, Kebbi, Niger and Kaduna States of Nigeria.

Policy Dialogues with critical stakeholders in Enterprise Development

oDeveloped a new National MSMEs Policy with Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and relevant stakeholders to get a balanced view on the effectiveness of previous MSME policies which provided the basis for preferring recommendations to support MSME growth and development in Nigeria;

oMember of the Strategic Working Committee of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development which reviewed the National Agricultural Promotion Policy that focuses on solving the core issues of limited food production and delivery of quality standards.

oCurrently on the National Committees for the Review of the National Agricultural Seed Policy and National Fertilizer Policy as well as the development of the new National Agricultural Soil Management Policy.

oWorking with the Security and Exchange Commission to review the Investment and Securities Act, 2007 to incorporate commodity exchange markets and the warehouse receipt system to enable small and medium scale agricultural traders utilize commodities stored in certified warehouses as collateral to access commercial credit and at the same time enabling them to store commodities in anticipation of higher prices later in the season;

oWorking with the National Collateral Registry to implement the Secured Transaction in Movable Assets Act by significantly increasing the levels of awareness and utilization of commercial credit by critical stakeholders in the country. As a result of this intervention, the number and volume of MSME loans are estimated to have increased by 88% and 28% respectively.

oCurrently reviewing the Central Bank’s Prudential Guidelines to determine areas of improvement in regulatory and policy aspects enabling increased responsible MSMEs access to finance.

oWorking with investment related agencies, commodity associations, small and medium enterprises associations and chambers of commerce, to build a coherent national development strategy aiming to create an investment friendly environment, to attract specific foreign investment and drive local enterprise capacity building in a holistic way.

Facilitation of Public -Private Sector Dialogues on Specific Agribusiness and Investment Policies

oProvided technical support to the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment for the development of the new National Quality Policy. The policy will enhance quality investment into Nigeria by promoting tailored policies to overcome domestic imperfections that hinder the smooth integration of local and foreign firms into world-wide supply chain network.

oDevelopment of new commodity specific policies on soybean and aquaculture in Kaduna, Kebbi, Delta, Ebonyi and Cross River States to address constraints to investment inflow and spearhead the development of vibrant policies for these value chains to support investment, growth and diversification for MSMEs.

With the respective State Ministries of Agriculture, spearheaded the review of the agricultural policies of Ebonyi, Delta, Cross River and Kebbi States of Nigeria to significantly strengthen priority value chain development and create an enabling environment that promote agribusinesses and agro-industrialization for sustainable growth and development in the states.

Formation of Policy Networks and Advocacy Coalition Champions at both the national and state levels to interface with governments using strategies to influence government decision makers on policy reforms to ease doing business in Nigeria.

July 2016- June 2017.

Nigeria

World Bank Group Trade

And Competitiveness Global Practice:

Short term Consultant

The review covered:

The Investment Framework – FDI inflow sectorally and how to obtain a more significant contribution of investment;

Strategic importance of FDI beyond oil, strategies to foster a flourishing manufacturing sector, including the agribusinesses;

Emphasizing the important roles of state and local governments in shaping the Investment environment;

The contribution of MSMEs to sustainable development, in terms of contribution to economic growth, creation of decent jobs, provision of public goods and services, as well as poverty alleviation and reduced inequality;

The openness of the economy to virtually all sectors of the economy; foreign and domestic investors; the impressive number of reforms currently reshaping the Investment environment as well as series of regulatory impediments relating primarily to local content issues, access to finance, access to land, the taxation regimes, registration of businesses, infrastructural challenges etc;

Other policy issues addressed included insecurity, policy inconsistency and corruption.

Upgrading of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission to address the challenges brought about by the new global environment and the readiness of the Commission to adjust to the new trends.

October 2006 – December 2011

Nigeria

World Bank

Project Coordinator, World Bank Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Project

This project was a $32.0m Federal Government Project with credit assistance from the World Bank. The Project aimed at increasing the performance and employment levels of MSMEs in selected non-oil industry sub-sectors in three targeted States (Lagos, Kaduna and Abia ) of the country.

Managed the planning, implementation, and staff management of the project, which was rated the best amongst the nine similar World Bank-assisted MSME Projects in Africa in 2008 and 2009.

Access to Finance (ATF):

Collaborated with the Central Bank of Nigeria to create the framework of the first Micro-finance Policy of Nigeria, which allowed MSMEs to use moveable assets as collaterals for loans, attracted foreign investment and expanded the credit reach of MSMEs.

Supported the creation of six new microfinance banks (MFBs) in Kaduna and Lagos States, and one Commercial Bank downscaling programmes which is now being emulated by other banks as they create MFB subsidiaries and new products for MSMEs.

Business Development Services (BDS):

Made 71 Grants, including 45 under the General BDS and 26 under the Industry Value Chains, reaching more than 18,000 MSMEs beneficiaries. The service enhanced significant private sector development in Lagos, Kaduna and Abia states.

Implemented value chain development in the Catfish, Rice, Palm Oil and Tourism industries.

Investment Climate (IC):

Computerized and streamlined the business and tax registration processes between the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), reducing the time and cost of and business entry.

Established Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Centre in three states, increasing the speed with which commercial disputes were resolved.

Worked with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to produce a clear and comprehensive institutional, legislative & legal and regulatory framework governing the generation, storing and sharing of information about the credit histories of enterprises and individuals. The result was that two bills - Credit Bureau and Secured Transactions In Movable Assets – were passed into law in 2017.

Public –Private Partnership (PPP):

Built relationships with stakeholders, including state governments and the private sector, & increased their capacity to aid in the development of MSMEs in Nigeria.

October 2006 – December 2015

Nigeria

Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC):

Director, National Competitiveness and Policy Advocacy

Set national strategies for Nigeria’s competitiveness and economic policy initiatives, including the Trade and Investment Commission of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), as well as two strategic business committees: Doing Business and Competitiveness, and Investor Care.

Set activity targets for Heads of Division, ensuring the coordinated effort of all staff members within the Department.

Analyzed Nigerian economic policies and objectives, as well as the roles of various government agencies and the challenges facing the country in order to develop recommendations to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) through the Honorable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, for consideration and approval.

Worked closely with various government agencies to ensure coordination, including the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment for reforms on investment policies, the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Legislature to ensure speedy passage of bills for reforms and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for business registration.

Participated and presented memoranda at various National and International Council meetings to advance the cause of investors.

Worked with local and international agencies such as Augusto & Co, Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), World Bank, UNIDO, UNCTAD to benchmark the country’s competitiveness performance across a range of statistical indicators drawn from reputable organizations in order to advise government on appropriate measures in order to improve on the country’s rating and competitiveness.

Encouraged private-public dialogue on trade and investment issues by organizing meetings, one –on – one business consultations and attending Annual General Meetings of reputable companies and the organized private sector (OPS) in order to build shared understanding of the challenges facing businesses and governments.

Monitored government reforms on the investment climate and make policy recommendations on amendments to policies and their implementation, administrative procedures and regulatory issues to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) through the Honorable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, for consideration and approval.

Held periodic media interactive sessions to increase awareness of the government’s efforts at improving the investment environment.

Coordinated and organized the National Conference on Investment (NCI), which is attended by more than 200 investors, CEOs and policy makers in order to communicate the decisions of the Conference to the relevant MDAs, State Governments and the organized private sector (OPS) and initiate follow up action. One such result was the implementation of one of the recommendations of the Conference, the establishment of One Stop Investment Centre (OSIC) in the States of Nigeria like the one at the Federal level (in NIPC). One Stop Investment Centre (OSIC) is an investment facilitation strategy where relevant government agencies are brought to one location coordinated and streamlined to provide prompt, efficient and transparent services to investors.

Maintained strong relationships with relevant Multilateral/Regional/Bilateral Institutions, Joint Commissions, etc., and ensured active participation in their meetings in order to stay abreast of current developments in the global economy to enable us to address issues that affect our economy.

Coordinated effective monitoring of the implementation of the Memoranda of understanding (MOUs), Investment Promotion Protection Agreements (IPPAs), and other agreements that Nigeria has signed with Joint Commissions, Bilateral/Regional Institutions, etc.; and ensured proper follow up on outstanding issues.

Liaised with international organizations such as United Nations Industrial Organization (UNIDO), World Trade Organization (WTO), World Bank, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), UK Department for International Development (DFID), German International Cooperation Agency (GIZ), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), etc. and collaborated with them in the implementation of their programmes in the country.

Oversaw data collection, analysis, and dissemination of information on foreign direct investment (FDI) in Nigeria to monitor the trends of investment in the sectors in order to advise government on areas of focus.

Coordinated and ensured active participation in surveys to initiate new policies or examine the effectiveness of existing policies, or even reshape them.

Ensured the maintenance of relevant data involving country competitiveness, feasibility studies/project profiles, investors perception of Nigeria and provision of promotion materials e.g. brochures, investors guide, etc. in order to show the investment potentials of the country, the procedures for establishing businesses, and incentives offered to investors and the administrative processes for accessing them.

Initiated and maintained linkages between local suppliers and foreign enterprises for the purpose of ensuring maximum participation of local enterprises in Nigeria’s economic development.

Built links between international businesses and academic/research institutions to ensure the necessary skills and research and development are in place.

November 2004 – October 2006

Nigeria

Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC):

Deputy Director

Policy Advocacy & External Relations:

Assisted the then Director, Policy Advocacy & External Relations in the coordination of staff and execution of the functions of the Department.

Coordinated the National Conference on Investment (NCI) from 2004 -2006, as well as Business and Investment Forums organized by NIPC in USA, Canada and Japan, to attract investors into Nigeria.

Participated actively in setting up the Secretariat of the Presidential Committee on the Problems of Investors, drawing up the framework and the terms of reference; the Committee was adjudged to be very successful by investors.

June 1999 – November 2004

Nigeria

Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC):

Assistant Director

Investment Promotion:

Identified and initiated moves to attract foreign entrepreneurs /companies, to provide technology, capital & access to foreign markets, for joint venture / partnership relationship with Nigerian entrepreneurs.

Initiated and organized international business forums/activities to improve and maintain Nigeria’s image abroad, resulting in an increase in investors from all over the world particularly Asian countries (China, India, Thailand, etc.), Europe (Turkey) and South Africa, and the opening of embassies in Nigeria by Canada, South Korea, Turkey, Thailand and others.

Identified and targeted new projects in Nigeria for promotion abroad. Examples include Dangote Cement in Zambia and South Africa, and banks such as the United Bank for Africa, Guaranty Trust Bank, Zenith Bank, Access Bank, being promoted in the United Kingdom, Ghana, South Africa and Sierra Leone.

August 1981 – June 1999

Nigeria

Bank of Agriculture Limited

Assistant Project Officer, Senior Manager

Assistant Project Officer - Senior Manager:

Managed two State branches: Minna, Niger State; and Jos, Plateau State.

Worked in Kaduna, Imo and Akwa Ibom states to advance agricultural and marketing loans to the private sector.

Undertook Credit Administration of 1,700 small holder loans and 75 larger loans per year.

Identified, formulated, and implemented small and large scale agricultural and agro-allied loans to the private sector, including Economic crops, Food Crops, Livestock, Horticulture and Aquaculture.

Monitored and evaluated agricultural loans to ensure judicious use, appraised refinancing requests and project reactivation.

Involved in financial analysis of new and existing operations and development of investment models.

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