Former Prime Minister of Togo appointed as the sixth president of the International Fund for Agricultural Development

The Former Prime Minister of Togo, Gilbert Fossoun Houngbo who has more than 30 years of experience in political affairs, international development, diplomacy and financial management has been appointed as the sixth president of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). IFAD is a specialized United Nations agency and international financial institution that invests in eradicating rural poverty in developing countries around the world.

The former Prime Minister in his words said, “I have come from the rural world and I have first-hand knowledge of the harshness of this kind of life. We have to keep our ambition and at the same time be realistic and pragmatic. We have to demonstrate that every dollar invested will have the highest value for money”.

Since 2013, he has served as Deputy Director General of the International Labour Organization, where he was responsible for external programmes and partnerships. Prior to that, he was Assistant Secretary General, Africa Regional Director and Chief of Staff at the United Nations Development Programme. He is also a member of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants. 

Houngbo succeeds Kanayo  Nwanze who was president for two terms and will officially resume office on  April  1, 2017.