The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, has appointed Hélène N’Garnim-Ganga of Chad to the prestigious post of United Nations Resident Coordinator in Côte d’Ivoire, effective 24 November 2024, with the endorsement of the Ivorian government.
With more than 30 years’ experience, Hélène N’Garnim-Ganga has acquired expertise over the years in legal management, corporate governance and strategic projects. Her background also extends to operational management and institutional support, where she has combined vision and pragmatism.
A graduate of the prestigious Harvard Law School in the United States, she also holds a Master’s degree in International Law from the Sorbonne University (Paris I), as well as a Diplôme d’Etudes Approfondies (DEA) from the University of Assas Paris II, in France. This high-quality intellectual training reflects his constant desire for excellence and lasting impact.
Rich career at the AfDB
Prior to her appointment as UN Resident Coordinator in Côte d’Ivoire, Hélène N’Garnim-Ganga was General Counsel at the African Development Bank (AfDB), where she was part of the senior management team of this major institution. She was appointed to this prestigious post in September 2016, after serving as the AfDB’s resident representative in Mali, where she played a key role in strategic dialogue and cooperation with the Malian authorities.
Hélène N’Garnim-Ganga joined the AfDB from the Office of the Vice-President in charge of Corporate Services, where she oversaw the implementation of complex reforms. She then went on to head the Public Sector Operations, Policy and Governance Division within the General Counsel and Legal Services Department. It was in this role that she exerted a major influence, notably by steering the establishment of the Zim-Fund, a fund to support Zimbabwe’s development. She also played a decisive role in setting up an anti-corruption department and a guarantee mechanism in Seychelles, facilitating the renegotiation of the country’s private debt with its many private creditors. A rich career in which his strategic and legal expertise has left an indelible mark.
A key role in Mali
As AfDB Resident Representative in Mali, Hélène N’Garnim-Ganga has played a key role in strengthening partnerships with the donor community, facilitating strategic dialogue with government officials and high-level stakeholders on critical issues such as the economy, finance and infrastructure. Her diplomatic approach and expertise have enabled her to build strong relationships and lead effective initiatives to support the country’s development.
She also led, on behalf of the AfDB, the assessment process for Northern Mali as part of the country’s Peace Agreement, a delicate and strategic task. For her remarkable work in this area, she has been congratulated by the national authorities and other stakeholders for her commitment and professionalism.
What’s more, her work in Mali has strengthened the AfDB’s relevance and visibility, while increasing its capacity to mobilise resources and expanding its portfolio in the private sector.
Supervision of major projects at AFD
Before joining the African Development Bank, Hélène N’Garnim-Ganga was Regional Director for East Africa at Agence Française de Développement (AFD), where she oversaw the Agency’s activities in 11 countries. This experience led her to work on large-scale strategic projects, consolidating her reputation as a seasoned manager. Earlier in her career, she also held the position of Global Director of Governance and Institutional Support at AFD, where she led numerous initiatives to strengthen the transparency and performance of AFD’s partner institutions.
Hélène N’Garnim-Ganga first joined AFD as Director of the Legal Department, where she was a pioneering figure in the creation of innovative financial instruments. These innovative mechanisms have made it possible to grant greater flexibility to countries facing exogenous shocks, thereby promoting their economic resilience. Her expertise and sense of innovation marked a turning point in the way AFD supports developing countries in times of crisis.
A career as a lawyer to hone her skills
Hélène N’Garnim-Ganga began her career as senior counsel in an international private law firm, with offices in New York and Paris. There she honed her skills in financing, mining and privatisation, working on complex international projects. As lead counsel, she played a crucial role in Algeria’s first privatisation in the steel sector, a milestone in the country’s economic history. In addition, she oversaw the drafting of important legislation, including Chad’s telecommunications law, which was eventually passed by parliament, marking a key milestone in the modernisation of the country’s telecommunications sector.
These early experiences consolidated her legal expertise and ability to navigate complex regulatory environments, preparing her for more senior roles in development and governance, such as those she has held throughout her career and the one she is about to take up in Côte d’Ivoire.
