Governance

Headed by its President, Serge EKUE, since August 28, 2020, the West African Development Bank works for the economic emergence and sustainable development of the region.

Chairman Serge Ekue

Serge EKUE takes office as President of the West African Development Bank (BOAD) on August 28, 2020.

Prior to joining BOAD, Serge EKUE had headed Natixis’ Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) activities for the UK in London since 2016. He combined this responsibility with that of Market Solutions for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Serge Ekue was also head of the Africa and Russia Departments at Natixis.

A recognized expert in Financial and Capital Markets, Serge EKUE headed Natixis’ Markets Activities for the Asia-Pacific region for almost six years (2010-2016) before taking over as Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong-based bank. He has over twenty years’ experience in International Finance, Structured Finance and Capital Markets, having exercised these broad responsibilities worldwide.

He holds an Executive MBA from HEC Paris, a DESS in Banking and Finance from Paris V, and a diploma from the Institut d’Études Politiques in Bordeaux, and has extensive international experience.

Vice President, Financing and Investments

Moustapha Ben Barka is Vice-President in charge of Financing and Investment at the West African Development Bank (BOAD).

He currently chairs the Executive Committee of the African Rural and Agricultural Credit Association (based in Nairobi, Kenya), and the Board of Directors of SICAV-Abdou Diouf, an investment fund (based in Cotonou, Benin) dedicated to the West African region. He is a member of the Board of Directors of various entities active in Africa, mainly in transport, insurance and finance.

From 2013 to 2020, he held senior government positions in Mali, first as Minister Delegate at the Ministry of Economy and Finance, in charge of investment and private sector promotion, then as Minister of Industry and Investment Promotion. In 2015, he joined the Cabinet of the President of the Republic of Mali, as Deputy Secretary General and then as Minister, Secretary General, supervising and coordinating all the activities of the President of Mali.

Before joining the civil service and the government, Mr. Ben Barka worked in the private sector from 2000 to 2013. First, in Canada, where he gained substantial experience at the National Bank of Canada as an Analyst, Senior Analyst and Internal Auditor in the Treasury and Financial Markets Department.

With a firm determination to return to Africa and contribute to its development, in 2007 he joined Blackpearl Finance (formerly BMCE Capital Sénégal), an investment bank based in Senegal, as Director in charge of Project Finance and Structured Finance.

Moustapha BEN BARKA holds an Executive MBA from Université du Québec à Montréal, a Certificate of Advanced Studies from McGill University and a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and International Business from HEC Montréal. He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Canadian Bankers.

In 2015, the World Economic Forum named him one of its Young Global Leaders. In addition, in 2018, he received the title of Officer of the National Order of Mali.

Vice President, Support and Control

Braima Luis SOARES CASSAMA is Vice-President in charge of Support and Control at the West African Development Bank (BOAD).

Previously Economic Advisor to the President of the Republic of Guinea Bissau, Mr. SOARES CASSAMA has held several positions in Guinea Bissau relating to finance and the economy, including that of Minister Delegate to the Treasury, in charge of Fiscal Affairs and Public Accounts. He also served as Deputy Director of Credit Institutions and Economic Financing, then Deputy Director of Banking Activities and Alternative Financing at BCEAO’s head office in Dakar, Senegal.

Mr. SOARES CASSAMA holds a MASTER 2 in Monetary and Financial Economics from the Institut Supérieur de l’Economie et Gestion (ISEG) in Portugal, a Master 1 in Economics from the University of Coimbra (Portugal), and is a graduate of the Centre Ouest Africain de Formation et d’Etudes Bancaires (COFEB) in DAKAR.

BOAD Board of Directors

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