Serge Ekue is Advancing West Africa’s Development Through Strategic Finance and Regional Cooperation

He currently serves as the President of the West African Development Bank (BOAD), the official development finance institution for the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU).

In this role, Ekue is responsible for leading the bank’s strategy and operations, overseeing investments that support infrastructure, social development, and regional integration across eight member states: Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Togo.

Before becoming President of BOAD in August 2020, Ekue had an extensive career in international finance.

He worked for more than two decades at Natixis, a major French investment bank, where he rose through the ranks to hold several senior positions.

Among his key roles was Head of Global Markets for the Asia-Pacific region, where he was based in Hong Kong.

His work there included managing capital markets, structured products, and financial engineering for a broad range of clients, giving him deep experience in global finance and strategy.

He later served as Special Advisor to the BOAD before being appointed as its President.

Since taking the helm at BOAD, Serge Ekue has focused on making the institution more effective in driving development across West Africa.

His vision centers on mobilizing greater financial resources for projects that can stimulate sustainable economic growth, improve infrastructure, and increase access to essential services such as energy, water, healthcare, and education. 

One of his key priorities has been to align BOAD’s operations with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 agenda.

Under his leadership, the bank has taken steps to strengthen partnerships with both public and private sector actors to increase the scale and impact of development financing in the region.

Ekue has emphasized innovation, transparency, and financial discipline as central to his mission.

He is also pushing for BOAD to play a greater role in tackling regional challenges such as climate change, youth unemployment, and food insecurity. 

His strategy involves shifting the bank from being a traditional lender to a more dynamic development partner that can use a variety of financial instruments and blended finance approaches to unlock more investment for the region.

In recognition of his leadership and contributions to finance and development, Serge Ekue has received several honors and awards.

In 2022, he was awarded the title of Commander of the National Order of Merit of Togo, one of the country’s highest civilian honors.

He is also a well-respected voice in the African financial community and is frequently invited to speak at regional and international forums on development finance and economic transformation.

Ekue holds degrees in finance and economics from reputable institutions, including the University of Paris-Dauphine and the University of Essex.

His academic background, combined with his real-world banking experience, positions him as a practical and forward-thinking leader who understands both the complexity of international markets and the specific needs of African economies.

Today, Serge Ekue continues to work toward his mission of building a stronger, more resilient, and more integrated West Africa.

He believes that development finance can be a powerful tool for change, and he is committed to making BOAD a leading institution that drives progress and prosperity across the region.