AbbeLabs is proud to announce the appointment of Mr. Oumar Dahirou N’Diaye as Chair of its Board of Directors. Mr. N’Diaye chairs the West Africa Democracy Fund, a $23 million joint fund supporting the re-imagination and future of democracy in West Africa. He also serves on the board of the Nigerian Youth Futures Fund (NYFF), which was created in response to an urgent need to provide technical and financial support to burgeoning youth-led movements in Nigeria.
Mr. N’Diaye is an accomplished international executive with extensive experience in leadership, governance, institutional development and strategic partnerships. His appointment will support AbbeLabs as it strengthens its governance and expands its contribution to agricultural transformation across Africa.
As Chair, Mr. N’Diaye will provide strategic guidance and governance oversight. He will also support the organisation’s efforts to develop innovative partnerships and sustainable, data-driven solutions for African agriculture.
He is joined by Ms. Fatoumata Gakou and Ms. Marie Claire Kalihangabo, each confirmed for a three-year term. The Board also confirmed Amadou Camara as Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of the Board.
“I am honoured to serve as Chair of the Board of Abbe Agricultural Transformation Partners, and I thank my fellow directors for their confidence. AbbeLabs’ strength must be the unique value and innovation it brings to Africa’s agricultural transformation. That means going beyond grants towards blended and performance-based finance, and acting as a bridge between the public and private sectors: identifying gaps, piloting concrete solutions and taking them to scale. I look forward to helping build those bridges,” said Mr. N’Diaye.
“I am proud and privileged to have Oumar N’Diaye as Chair of our Board. Oumar is a rare combination: a humble man and a deeply strategic thinker. Whether at the Ford Foundation, the United Nations or the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), he has held strategic and instrumental roles in some of the most influential institutions working on Africa’s development, and he has remained remarkably grounded throughout. He has earned the trust of leaders at the highest levels across the continent, yet he never seeks the spotlight. He lets his work speak for itself. He is a firm believer in democracy, an avid reader, and a man of energy, on and off the football pitch. As AbbeLabs embarks on this next stage of its journey, his wisdom, his network and his gift for bringing people together will be invaluable. It is a privilege to have him lead our Board,” said Dr. Oumou M. Camara, Founder and CEO of AbbeLabs.
AbbeLabs warmly congratulates Mr. N’Diaye and looks forward to working with him to advance agricultural transformation, strengthen African food systems and create lasting value for farmers and rural communities across the continent.
