The United Nations’ Industrial Development Organization (ONUDI) has appointed Morocco’s Sanae Lahlou as the country’s new representative to the organization. Sanae Lahlou had already distinguished herself by becoming one of the 112 young global leaders in 2021, according to the World Economic Forum (WEF). Portrait.
By the editorial staff
The United Nations’ Industrial Development Organization (ONUDI) has appointed Morocco’s Sanae Lahlou as the country’s new representative to the organization.
With the new appointment, Lahlou is to ensure that Morocco’s policies are in line with ONUDI’s strategy aiming to stimulate inclusive and sustainable industrial development.
Lahlou previously made headlines when she became one of 112 Young Global Leaders worldwide in 2021, according to the World Economic Forum (WEF), an independent Switzerland-based organization. This nomination is the result of more than ten years of experience throughout Africa in the public and private sectors.
From Reuters to AMDIE through BMCE…
Lahlou kicked off her career in 2003 in a junior position with the global news agency Reuters. She worked as an advisor for the Education and Environmental foundation of the Moroccan banking group BMCE between 2004 and 2005. She also spent ten years at the Moroccan Agency for Investment and Export Development (AMDIE) where she held the position of Director of International Markets. She developed a real expertise in international development, market intelligence strategy management, coordination of sectoral business development programs, insertion in global value chains as well as internationalization of companies through export and investment promotion in 80 countries, including more than 40 in Africa. Prior to joining AMDIE, Sanae Lahlou held the position of Maghreb and Middle East and Francophone Africa Advisor at the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Following an impressive career, Lahlou became director of the global consulting firm Mazar’s African operations in 2019 with the mission to consolidate and strengthen the firm’s « Consulting & Business Development Africa » offer for the benefit of Moroccan and international companies with ambitions on the continent.
The « Leadership Excellence Economic Development and Global Impact » award
Sanae Lahlou has been nominated « Young Global Leader » by the World Economic Forum 2021. Previously, she was ranked among the 30 « French African Young Leader 2019 » by the French Africa Young Leader Foundation, a global leadership program co-initiated by France and several African countries to foster the emergence of a new generation of African leaders who are aware of the issues and challenges of the continent’s socio-economic development.
She also received the « Leadership Excellence Economic Development and Global Impact » award from the Pan African Leadership and Entrepreneurship Development Center under the patronage of the Government of Abu Dhabi. Sanae is also a member of the executive committee of the « Women in Business Network », a pan-African network of African businesswomen active in several countries of the continent.
A graduate of Sciences Po Paris and Al Akhawayn University, she obtained an MBA in International Business in Paris and consolidated her career with a Master’s degree at ISCAE on « Coaching of Moroccan companies in the service of African intercultural management », a new mark of her commitment to the development of the African continent.
Working with UNIDO, Lahlou will oversee the implementation of the organization’s efforts to reduce poverty while promoting inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability. The organization has previously praised Morocco’s adoption of an accelerated industrialization plan to fuel inclusive economic development and create much-needed jobs.
