Rwanda is enlisting Tidjane Thiam's help to advance its financial center. It is the latest engagement on the former Credit Suisse chief's home continent.
Tidjane Thiam was elected chair of Rwanda Finance, an organization devoted to the development and promotion of the Kigali International Financial Centre, according to African weekly «Jeune Afrique» (behind paywall, in French).
A dual French-Ivorian, the 58-year-old Thiam is impeccably connected politically, economically, and in business – three worlds through which he has moved fluidly during his career. The KIFC works with various business interests in order to position Rwandan capital for inbound investments.
Élysée Plan?
The Rwandan job comes amid a resurgence of attention in Thiam, including as part of an Élysée plan for Côte d'Ivoire. The election of Thiam, alongside six other board members, was signed by Rwandan PM Edouard Ngirente and President Paul Kagame in Urugwiro this week.
Shortly after being ousted at the Swiss bank in February, he was elected a director at French luxury group Kering. Thiam is also part of the African Union together with luminaries including ex-Nigerian finance ministerNgozi Okonj, where helping Africa fight coronavirus is a key focus.
