Professional History: Michel N’guessan is a Principal in the African Development Bank's Water Department. He has had an inspiring career progression within the bank's ranks, going from a Water and Sanitation Specialist to Principal. Prior to that, he was a Program Director for Habitat for Humanity International in the EMEA region. He also worked for the German international trade and development agency GIZ, first as a Technical Advisor before progressing up the ranks. In 2021 he was named Top Task Team Leader in Central Africa Region and Top Performer 2022 in the Water sector. He helps implement a key bank priority of improving the quality of life for the people of Africa in multiple countries, negotiating and demonstrating the relevance of investing in the water sector as an enabler for change.

Growing up in low-income areas of Abidjan, Michel has first-hand experience of the impacts of degraded electricity and water services, transport and health infrastructure on local communities. These experiences have led him to dedicate his career to ensuring high quality and affordable services to all in Africa while breaking new grounds for financing.

Academic and professional credentials: Post Graduate Certificate in Development strategy and Governance from Bradford University School of Social Studies 2020
Executive Programme Infrastructure in Market Economy Public Private Partnerships from Harvard University Kennedy School, USA, 2016
Msc in Finance from Kedge Business School, France 2014
MSc in Water and Environment Engineering from the International Institute for Water and Environment (2iE), Burkina Faso 2011
BSc from the International Institute for Water and Environment (2iE), Burkina Faso 2009
BSc in Mathematics and Computer Science from University Felix Houphouet Boigny (Cocody) 2008;
Steering Complex program certificate from Cambridge University

Programs: African Development Bank Leadership Development Programme