Abdourahmane Cissé
Abdourahmane Cissé | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 6, 1981 Abidjan, Ivory Coast |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, engineer, economist |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Known for | Secretary General of the Presidency of Ivory Coast; Minister of Petroleum, Energy and Renewable Energies; Budget Minister |
Abdourahmane Cissé (born August 6, 1981, in Abidjan, Ivory Coast) is a distinguished Ivorian figure known for his roles as a politician, engineer, and economist. His career includes serving as Secretary General of the Presidency, Minister of Petroleum, Energy and Renewable Energies under Prime Minister Hamed Bakayoko, and previously as Budget Minister during the tenure of Prime Minister Daniel Kablan Duncan.
An alumnus of the prestigious Ecole Polytechnique de Paris (X 2001) and the Institut Français du Pétrole, Cissé was appointed to ministerial office on November 19, 2013, at just 32 years old, marking him as the youngest cabinet member in Daniel Kablan Duncan’s administration.
In 2017, he gained recognition as a Young Global Leader, joining an elite group of 100 influential individuals under 40 who are committed to addressing worldwide issues through innovative approaches.
Early life and education
Cissé was born in Treichville, a working-class district of Abidjan, as the youngest among four siblings, all of whom are engaged in finance. His father worked in construction while his mother managed the household.
He completed his foundational studies in Ivory Coast, earning a baccalaureate "C" series with distinction in 1999. At age 18, he relocated to Paris to enroll at the Ecole Polytechnique (X 2001), where he graduated in 2004 with an engineering degree specializing in Applied Mathematics.
The following year, in 2005, he obtained a master’s degree in Economic Science and Petroleum Resources Management from the Institut Français du Pétrole (IFP School), through a collaborative program with the University of Oklahoma.
Professional career
Starting in 2005, Abdourahmane Cissé joined Goldman Sachs International based in London, where he developed expertise in global finance. His roles included structuration-origination analyst, associate-trader for structured products, and later Vice President/Executive Director responsible for volatility trading and dividend strategies on Eurozone indices. During this period, he established connections with Téné Birahima Ouattara, the brother of Alassane Ouattara. In 2011, answering President Ouattara’s call for diaspora professionals to return home, Cissé left Goldman Sachs to come back to Ivory Coast.
By July 2012, he was appointed Advisor to the Ivory Coast President with a focus on Public Finances. Six months later, he advanced to Deputy Minister for Economy and Public Finances.
On November 19, 2013, Cissé was promoted to Minister of Budget and State Portfolio, becoming the youngest minister within Daniel Kablan Duncan’s cabinet. In this capacity, he oversaw drafting and implementing the State Budget alongside fiscal policy management, state shareholdings, and public enterprises administration. Under Prime Minister Duncan’s leadership, Cissé spearheaded reforms aimed at modernizing public financial management. Notable initiatives included launching the electronic land registry system (LIFE), streamlining procurement procedures by reducing delays, creating testing centers for medium-sized enterprises (CME), introducing combined fiscal and customs inspections, and merging the Tax Office with Customs services to enhance taxpayer classification accuracy while eliminating manual processes.
On January 11, 2017, he retained his role as Minister for Budget and State Portfolio before transitioning to become Special Advisor to the President on Economic and Financial Affairs. Subsequently, on December 10, 2018, he was appointed Minister of Petroleum, Energy and Renewable Energies.
In March 2021, Cissé advanced to the position of Secretary General of the Presidency, succeeding Patrick Achi, who assumed the office of Prime Minister.
International engagement
Since June 2015, Mr. Abdourahmane Cisse has been a member of the Board of Directors at the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD), representing the African continent. In March 2017, the World Economic Forum included him among the 100 Young Global Leaders under 40, recognizing his significant contributions across both governmental and private industry sectors.
Significant career milestones
- From March 2021 onward: Secretary General of the Presidency
- 2018 to 2021: Minister overseeing Petroleum, Energy, and Renewable Energy
- 2013 to 2017: Minister responsible for Ivory Coast’s Budget
- January to November 2013: Chief of Staff to the Minister in charge of Economy and Public Finances
- July to December 2012: Presidential Advisor on Public Finance matters
- 2009 to November 2011: Vice President and Executive Director managing volatility trading and Eurozone index dividends
- 2007 to 2009: Associate Trader specializing in structured financial products
- 2005: Commenced career at Goldman Sachs International in London
- 2004 to 2005: Completed Master’s degree in Economic Science and Petroleum Resources Management at Institut Français du Petrole (IFP School)
- 2001 to 2004: Graduated as Engineer from École Polytechnique de Paris
- 1999: Earned Baccalaureate with highest honors at Lycée Moderne de Grand-Bassam
Sources
- Abdourahmane Cissé’s extensive new pan-African position at Lazard bank, Africa Intelligence, 13 March 2025 (free registration required)