Masterclasses · Conferences · Keynotes
Invited Personalities
& Guest Speakers
Ministers, executives, researchers and international experts who have honoured the ETHSUN community by leading masterclasses, conferences and keynote sessions — sharing their experience, vision and exceptional careers with our cohorts.
These personalities are not trainers. They have honoured the ETHSUN community by accepting to lead masterclasses, conferences and keynotes — freely sharing their experience, their vision and their exceptional trajectories.
Josué Rodrigue Ngouonimba
Architect & Statesman — Minister of Transport, Civil Aviation and Merchant Navy
Republic of Congo — Special guest at the 1st Real Estate University in Abidjan
A trained architect and prominent figure in the public life of the Republic of Congo, he has held several senior responsibilities within the State. Since 2017, he has been responsible for construction, urban planning and housing, with a particular focus on urban development, territorial planning and improving the living conditions of the population. His technical expertise as an architect, combined with extensive experience in public management, has enabled him to contribute to several national initiatives in urban planning, housing and infrastructure modernisation. As a special guest of his Ivorian counterpart, he honoured the ETHSUN community with a rich account of his long experience as a technocrat in the service of development.
Thierry Tanoh
Economist, Certified Accountant & Former Minister
Former Minister of Petroleum, Energy and Renewable Energy Development — Côte d'Ivoire
A recognised economist, certified accountant and Ivorian political figure with an international career spanning finance, investment and economic development. He holds a degree from the École Supérieure de Commerce d'Abidjan and an MBA from Harvard Business School, and has held senior positions in major international financial institutions and large African banking groups. In Côte d'Ivoire, he served as Minister of Petroleum, Energy and Renewable Energy Development from 2017 to 2018. His career is defined by recognised expertise in finance, energy, economic governance and private sector development.
Didier Kla
Executive & Digital Transformation Expert
Leading figure in digital transformation in Côte d'Ivoire and West Africa
A computer engineer specialising in networks and telecommunications, recognised as one of the leading figures in digital transformation in Côte d'Ivoire. With more than twenty-five years of experience in information technology, telecommunications, cloud computing, cybersecurity and digital innovation, he has contributed to the development of numerous technology initiatives at national and regional level. Throughout his career, he has held several senior management positions in major international technology and telecoms groups. His expertise covers the digital transformation of organisations, the development of digital infrastructures, cybersecurity, information systems governance and technological innovation.
Laetitia Gadegbeku-Ouattara
Executive — Mining Industry & International Leadership
Managing Director, Endeavour Mining Côte d'Ivoire
A recognised Ivorian executive in the fields of investment, public affairs and the mining industry. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Marketing from the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières and an MBA in International Management from Université Laval in Canada, and has built an international career at the intersection of economic development, commercial diplomacy and corporate leadership. Since 2020, she has led the operations of Endeavour Mining in Côte d'Ivoire, one of the leading gold producers in West Africa. Recognised for her leadership and commitment to diversity, she is among the most influential personalities in the African mining sector and is actively engaged in promoting women's leadership in extractive industries.
Bruno Nabagné Koné
Financier, Executive & Statesman
Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Food Crops — Côte d'Ivoire
A financier, business leader and Ivorian political figure with more than thirty years of experience in finance, telecommunications, digital and public management. Recognised for his leadership in driving large-scale reform and transformation projects, his career combines managerial expertise, strategic vision and commitment to economic and institutional development. He led the Ministry of Construction, Housing and Urban Planning for more than seven years before being appointed Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Food Crops — a nomination reflecting the confidence placed in his managerial experience and his capacity to lead reform across strategic sectors.
Narcisse Sepy Yessoh
Senior Civil Servant & Director General of the ENA
Director General of the École Nationale d'Administration (ENA) — Côte d'Ivoire
A senior Ivorian civil servant, administrative officer and specialist in public governance, administrative training and state modernisation. A graduate of the École Nationale d'Administration (ENA) of Côte d'Ivoire, he has extensive experience in territorial administration, public management and capacity building for civil servants. Recognised for his commitment to administrative excellence and public service, he has worked for several years to promote a high-performing, ethical and results-oriented administration. Since January 2023, he has served as Director General of the ENA of Côte d'Ivoire, the institution responsible for training senior civil servants of the Ivorian administration.
Siandou Fofana
Financier, Strategy Expert & Statesman — Minister of Tourism of Côte d'Ivoire
Architect of the 'Sublime Côte d'Ivoire' strategy — Honorary Rector of the 1st African University of Tourism
A financier, development strategy expert and Ivorian political figure. He holds a doctorate in International Finance as well as advanced degrees in business engineering, international trade and financial management obtained in France, and has extensive experience in management, infrastructure, investment and economic development. Since 2017, he has led the national tourism promotion policy with the ambition of positioning Côte d'Ivoire among the most attractive destinations on the African continent. His work is notably associated with the 'Sublime Côte d'Ivoire' strategy — a structural programme designed to strengthen the country's attractiveness, develop tourism infrastructure, increase investment and promote the international reach of Côte d'Ivoire as a destination.
Samuel Matey, PhD
Economist, Entrepreneur & International Expert
Founding President of the African Foundation for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (FAFEDE)
An economist, entrepreneur, academic researcher and international expert in economic development, entrepreneurship and development finance. Holder of a PhD in economics, he has worked for many years with universities, public institutions, international organisations and businesses across Africa, Europe and North America. As Founding President of the FAFEDE, he leads initiatives to promote the economic empowerment of young people and women across Africa, and has contributed to the training and support of tens of thousands of entrepreneurial project holders on the continent. Author of several books and publications on economics, development and African entrepreneurship, he is regularly called upon as a keynote speaker, strategic adviser and expert by public and private institutions.
Jean-Louis Billon
Entrepreneur, Industrialist & Political Figure — Former Minister of Commerce
Former President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Côte d'Ivoire
A recognised Ivorian entrepreneur, industrialist and political figure known for his leadership of major African businesses and his commitment to the economic development of the private sector. Holding degrees in business law and international management, he has built a strong reputation in agro-industry, investment, corporate governance and economic development. As former head of the SIFCA Group, one of the largest agro-industrial groups in West Africa, he also served as President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Côte d'Ivoire. Throughout his career, he has been distinguished by his commitment to the competitiveness of African businesses, industrialisation and the promotion of the private sector as an engine of economic growth.
Hugues Lenoir
Emeritus Professor of Education Sciences
Université Paris Nanterre — Leading francophone authority on adult learning and andragogy
Emeritus researcher and professor in Education Sciences at Université Paris Nanterre, and one of the leading francophone authorities on adult learning, andragogy and training engineering. Holder of a doctorate in Education Sciences, he has dedicated more than three decades to research, higher education and the professionalisation of continuing training practitioners. A specialist in adult education, ethics of training, accreditation of prior learning (APL) and the fight against illiteracy, he led the university's teacher-trainer programmes at Paris Nanterre for many years. His work has contributed to the evolution of pedagogical practices and competency development frameworks in public and private organisations. Author of numerous books, scientific articles and academic contributions, he is recognised for his humanistic approach to professional training.
Katja Ginda
International Expert — Cooperation & Capacity Development
Former Director of the Francophone Department, Galilee International Management Institute — Israel
An international expert in cooperation, capacity development and executive training. Based in Israel, she is recognised for her commitment to strengthening the capabilities of public and private decision-makers, particularly across Africa, Europe and the Middle East. She has devoted a significant part of her career to promoting innovation, economic development, agriculture, leadership and governance through international training programmes. Recognised for her knowledge of international development challenges and technical cooperation, she regularly works in the areas of leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship, sustainable agriculture, public management and territorial development.
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