Tidjane Thiam is a distinguished Ivorian businessman and financial leader whose career spans government, corporate leadership, and international finance.
As the first African CEO of Credit Suisse and a key figure in global banking, his impact has been felt in economic reforms, corporate strategy, and investment leadership. His career showcases a rare combination of technical expertise, strategic vision, and a deep commitment to Africa’s economic progress.
Born in 1962 in Ivory Coast, Thiam’s academic journey led him to France, where he studied engineering at École Polytechnique and later earned a degree from École Nationale Supérieure des Mines de Paris, one of France’s top engineering schools. He furthered his education with an MBA from INSEAD, solidifying his expertise in management and finance. His early career began at McKinsey & Company, where he worked as a consultant, advising multinational companies on strategy and operations.
In 1994, Thiam returned to Ivory Coast, where he served as the Minister of Planning and Development. In this role, he played a crucial part in economic modernization, overseeing major infrastructure projects and securing foreign investments. He helped implement economic reforms aimed at boosting growth, attracting investors, and improving governance. However, political instability in Ivory Coast led him to leave public service, and he returned to the private sector, where his influence continued to grow.
His corporate career took off when he joined Aviva, a British multinational insurance company, where he became CEO of Aviva Europe. He later moved to Prudential Plc, a leading financial services firm, where he served as Group CEO from 2009 to 2015. During his tenure, he led a successful expansion into Asian markets, significantly increasing the company’s value and positioning it as a major player in global insurance.
His leadership at Prudential earned him recognition as one of the most skilled executives in the financial world.In 2015, he was appointed CEO of Credit Suisse, making history as the first African to lead a major global investment bank. Under his leadership, the bank underwent a major restructuring, shifting focus toward wealth management and private banking, which stabilized its financial position. His tenure saw the bank strengthen its global presence, increase profitability, and streamline risk management. Despite challenges, including legal and regulatory issues faced by the bank, Thiam’s leadership was widely credited with improving Credit Suisse’s financial health.
Beyond his corporate roles, Thiam has been an advocate for African economic development. He has worked to promote investment in Africa, financial inclusion, and infrastructure development, recognizing the continent’s potential as an emerging economic powerhouse.
In 2023, he returned to African leadership as Chairman of Rwanda Finance Limited, reinforcing his commitment to developing the continent’s financial sector. His journey serves as an inspiration to future generations of African leaders in both public service and corporate leadership.
