James Kobina Abakah is a finance and development professional with over 12 years of experience in credit management, financial sector development, and industry-building initiatives. He is currently a Financial Institution Growth Manager (BDS & Industry Building) on the FIRST+II program. James leads efforts to strengthen financial institutions, scale business development services (BDS), and advance financial inclusion. He works collaboratively with financial service providers, policymakers, and development partners to build institutional capacity and introduce innovative, inclusive financial solutions.

He began his career in the financial services sector, designing and delivering tailored credit solutions to individuals and businesses, ensuring portfolio sustainability, regulatory compliance, and effective loan recovery.

With a substantial research and data analysis foundation, James can leverage data-driven insights to assess program performance, inform strategic decisions, and support sustainable financial interventions. His expertise spans credit risk assessment, portfolio optimization, impact measurement, and ecosystem strengthening. Passionate about sustainable finance and inclusive economic growth, James remains committed to bridging financial service gaps and empowering businesses and underserved communities.

James holds an MPhil in Agricultural Economics and has contributed to research on impact evaluation and value chain development.