Ibrahim Magassa has been named UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Priority Africa, marking the first appointment focused on this specific area and the first time a banker has held this role within UNESCO.
Magassa is a chartered accountant who started his career auditing at major international firms such as Arthur Andersen and Accenture. He studied at top business schools in Paris and earned a doctorate in economics from the University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, where his dissertation focused on development in Africa.
As the head of the investment bank and consulting company ALGEST, Magassa has led significant projects for various African governments. Notable accomplishments include:
He also provided advisory services on debt relief to Ghana and coordinated Gabon’s domestic debt restructuring.
For these efforts, the Ghanaian government awarded him the Order of the Volta Companion.
Mohamed Idriss Farah was appointed Special Envoy of the African Union to Madagascar.
Magassa's appointment reflects his extensive experience and commitment to Africa's sustainable development through financial and infrastructural initiatives.