By Rezo Bitsadze
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has appointed Fatoumata Bouaré as the new Vice President, Chief Risk Officer. In her new role, Ms Bouaré will oversee multiple departments including Risk Management, Environmental and Sustainability, Business Resilience, and Procurement Policy and Advisory, and will be a member of the Bank’s Executive Committee. She takes up the position on 1 May 2025.
Ms Bouaré brings a wealth of relevant experience to the role, with her career spanning development as well as commercial banking. Over the past seven years at FMO, the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank, she strengthened the risk departments and pioneered innovation in digitalisation and impact reporting, while ensuring financial stability throughout a period of significant growth.
Before this, Ms Bouaré worked as the Director of Risk Management for the Bank of Africa, overseeing the group and its 18 affiliates.
EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso said: “I am happy to welcome Fatoumata to the EBRD. Her expertise, professional background and leadership skills make her ideally suited for this key role as the Bank expands into new regions and enters its next Strategic Capital Framework period.”
She continued: “Fatoumata will succeed David Coleman who will be retiring from the Bank and I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to him for a decade of excellent achievements at the EBRD and express my gratitude for his continued leadership until Fatoumata joins us.”
Ms Bouaré commented: “I am delighted to join the EBRD at such a pivotal time in its journey. As we expand into new regions and embrace innovative strategies, my focus will be on fostering a resilient and sustainable risk management framework. Together, we will drive impactful change, ensuring that our initiatives not only mitigate risks but also promote inclusive growth and environmental sustainability.”
Ms Bouaré is a national of Côte d’Ivoire, which recently became the newest member country of the EBRD. The Bank’s shareholders approved a plan last year for expansion to six sub-Saharan countries, starting in 2025.
