DataPro Announces Expert Panel for 6th International Credit Rating Webinar

DataPro Limited has unveiled a lineup of global and regional financial experts expected to lead discussions at its 6th International Credit Rating Webinar, focusing on strategies for improving Africa’s sovereign creditworthiness and achieving investment-grade status.

The webinar, described as one of the major financial policy engagements of the year, will focus on the theme: “Sovereign Credit Rating: Africa’s Roadmap to Investment-Grade Status.”

The event will bring together policymakers, academics, risk-management professionals and credit-rating specialists to examine structural reforms, debt sustainability and economic policies required to strengthen African countries’ positions in global capital markets.

Among the distinguished panelists is Dr. Misheck Mutize, Lead Expert on Credit Rating Agencies at the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). Dr. Mutize is involved in shaping Africa’s agenda on domestic financial markets and global capital positioning and is spearheading efforts towards the establishment of the Africa Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA).

Also expected to participate is Mrs. Oluwakemi Owonubi Babalogbon, Executive Director for Risk Management at the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI). With more than 20 years of experience in corporate finance, asset management and public finance, she brings expertise in state-owned asset management, risk governance and institutional credibility.

Other panelists include Dr. Daniel Cash, Founder of the Credit Rating Research Initiative and an Associate Professor at Aston University. Dr. Cash, who is also a Senior Fellow at the United Nations University’s Centre for Policy Research, is a prominent academic in the credit-rating sector and has authored nine books on the industry.

Prof. Dr. Torsten Schmidt, Head of Macroeconomics and Public Finance Research at RWI-Essen, will also provide insights into macroeconomic trends, international business cycles, public finance and financial development, all of which are critical to sovereign credit assessments.

Similarly, Prof. Kai Gehring, Professor of Political Economy at the University of Bern, will bring his research experience in political economy, sustainable development and public economics to the discussion. His work has explored international organisations, including the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, as well as development finance and its allocation.

The high-level dialogue will be moderated by Oladele Adeoye, Chief Rating Officer at DataPro.

According to the organisers, the webinar will provide participants with an opportunity to gain deeper insights into the reforms and policy measures African countries need to strengthen their sovereign credit profiles, improve investor confidence and attract long-term capital.

DataPro urged interested participants to register early, noting that attendance slots for the international webinar are limited.