Li Yi
Senior Executive Director (Infrastructure Projects) – Zinhoe Oil & Gas Group
Mr. Li Yi is a Chinese citizen and has more than 30 years of experience in the global infrastructure sector, leading international operations for a major group and managing complex mega international projects with strong financial, technical and political components.
Mr. Yi is a seasoned executive with extensive experience in global infrastructure megaprojects including in port development and management, transport infrastructure projects and railway development.
Mr. Yi is a world class expert in capital raising, global operations, international negotiations and strategic oversight for national economic priorities, with a comprehensive understanding of economic development issues and interdependencies of government policies. He also has a deep knowledge of processes at country level which makes him a superb solution provider. Throughout the years, he pursued his vision of a more balanced world and a better Africa, striving to maximize the social and economic impact on the continent for a durable and inclusive growth, which would breathe a new spirit to African people in the whole world.
Li has worked for many multinational infrastructure and port development companies and railway development companies, where he has managed and overseen the commissioning, construction and development of infrastructure projects.
Li occupied the following positions in the past thirty (30) years:
Final decision maker and responsible for project implementation and financing of the following projects:
- MRL East Coast Rail Link, Malaysia (US$ 11 billion): responsible for project. implementation, management and financing.
- Whales Bay Container & Oil Terminals & Tank Farm, Namibia (US$ 1 billion).
- Juba International Airport, South Sudan.
- Panama Light Rail, Panama (US$ 2.1 billion): PPP model project.
- Standard Gauge Railway, Uganda (US$ 2.2 billion).
General Director: Monrovia Airport, Liberia
Signature of the project contract was done with the Liberian government and financing approval completed within 6 months. The construction of the project was completed at high quality standards within 1 year.
General Director: Abidjan Port, Ivory Coast
Li was instrumental in the successful signature of the project contract with the Ivorian Government and fund raising from China EXIM bank.
General Manager: Lobito Port, Angola
Li was responsible for the development and management of a US$ 1.2 billion project at Lobito Port.
Board Member: Guinea, Singapore, Djibouti JV Project
Li was a board member in a Joint Venture infrastructure project between Guinea, Singapore and Djibouti. The JV partners were: Simandou JV of Rio Tinto and Aluminum Corporation of China Limited; China harbour investment PTE LTD Singapore and Djibouti Salt Industry Co., Ltd, Djibouti.
Board Director: Kribi Deep Sea Port, Cameroon
Li was a board director at the Kribi Deep Sea Port project in Cameroon, where he participated in the project financing, SPV establishment and construction of the Kribi Port until successful operation.
Chairman: Lekki Port, Nigeria
Li was the Chairman of the Lekki Port (Nigeria). He participated to the merger and acquisition of a 60% stake in Lekki Port and the set-up of the SPV with the Lagos state government to invest in the development of Lekki Port. All financing were secured, and the project is under construction.
Li served as the Deputy Chief Engineer of the Forth Harbour Design Institute from CCCC from 1989 to 2006, where he was responsible for the supervision of construction, project management and marketing of the harbour.
From 2006 to 2014, Li served as General Manager of China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) Africa, where he was responsible for the management of the Angola branch of CHEC that covers all Southern African countries with contract values over US$4 billion.
From 2014 to 2019, Li served as the Vice President of China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), where he was responsible for the management of all CHEC activities in Africa; management of the railway activity worldwide for CHEC and management and redesign of the Global Procurement system of CHEC.
From 2019 to this date, Li is the President of Caravelle Investment Fund; an investment fund that determine investment strategy and models, negotiate investments and structure the financing of projects.
Li is the holder of various academic qualifications, including an EMBA (Tsinghua University – China), Master Degree (International Engineering Concordia University) and Bachelor degree (Civil Engineering Chongqing Jiaotong University. In addition, Li has accumulated skills in a range of diverse roles, including Company management, Strategic oversight, Global operations, International negotiations and Project financing.