Press release

NEPAD WELCOMES NEW CEO

The new Chief Executive Officer of the NEPAD Secretariat, Dr. Ibrahim Assane Mayaki arrived in South Africa on Wednesday 01/04/09. On his arrival, he was received by officials from the South African Department of Foreign Affairs as well as NEPAD Deputy Chief Executives, Ambassador Olukorede Willoughby and Dr. Hesphina Rukato. On Thursday the 2nd of April Dr Mayaki was officially welcomed by his new colleagues at the NEPAD Secretariat. He met with NEPAD advisors and management before hoisting the African Union Flag at the temporary premises in Midrand, South Africa, where the secretariat is located.

Whilst Introducing Dr Mayaki, Ambassador Willoughby lauded the new CEO for his experiences the leadership of the continent. Dr Mayaki is a former Prime Minister of the republic of Niger. He acknowledged his experience both as a true politician and a lecturer while emphasizing that his experience of managing men and materials will prove valuable as the CEO of the development organization. The new CEO outlined his vision for the continued success of NEPAD saying that "his major objective is to develop a culture of teamwork and communication for the secretariat" he told the excited staff who were visibly pleased and impressed by his credentials. Dr. Mayaki’s experience at the highest political levels will enable him to effectively navigate NEPAD through the integration process into African Union (AU) and oversee NEPAD’s many commitments to the AU and other development partners throughout the continent and beyond.

Below is an abridged Version of Dr. Mayaki’s CV.

Dr Mayaki served as Prime Minister between from 1997-1999 after a stint as foreign Minister 1996-1997. He was appointed as NEPAD CEO after a selection process that took several months to complete, under the auspices of the African Union Commission. Dr. Mayaki, holds a masters degree from the National Administration Public School (ENAP) Quebec, Canada and a PhD in Administrative Sciences from the university of Paris 1, France.

The appointment of Dr. Ibrahim Assane Mayaki was announced by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H E Dr. Jean Ping during the 20th Summit of the NEPAD Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee (HSGIC) on 31st January 2009, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The appointment was endorsed by the NEPAD Implementation Committee and subsequently by the 12th AU Assembly on February 2, 2009.

For further details please contact :

Louis Napo Gnagbe
 Media Manager, NEPAD Secretariat
 Tel : +27 11 256 3600 / Mobile : +27 83 440 4518 / Email : Louisg@nepad.org

Mr. Robert Muyanga
 Manager : PR & Marketing, NEPAD Secretariat
 Tel : +27 11 256 3629 / Mobile : +27 83 7044 509 Email : robertm@nepad.org

Dr. Andrew Kanyegirire
 CAADP Communications Manager NEPAD Secretariat
 Tel : +27 11 256 3615 / Mobile : +27 83 7044 506 Email : andrewk@nepad.org