Meeting in Paris on April 13, 2022, the members of the Board of Directors of the French Council of Investors in Africa (CIAN) have appointed Etienne Giros as President. He succeeds Alexandre Vilgrain, head of the organization since 2008.
A graduate of Sciences Po Paris and Economics, Etienne Giros began working with Africa at CFAO in 1986 as Deputy General Manager of Transcap. In 1991, he joined the Bolloré Group as General Manager of Finance for Africa, covering 43 countries. In 2000, he became Managing Director of the Africa Development Division, which includes the Bolloré group’s activities on the continent. From 2006, he was appointed Vice President Media and then headed the CSA research institute.
Since 2014, he puts his experience of Africa at the service of CIAN’s member companies and represents them before institutions. He is also President of EBCAM (European Business Council for Africa) since June 2018.
« To promote and support French companies operating in Africa »
« I am honored by this appointment, which allows me to continue the work done for years jointly with Alexandre Vilgrain, » said Etienne Giros. The CIAN’s primary ambitions are to promote and support French companies operating in Africa, to promote their interests and enhance their impact on the continent. He added: « We are convinced that the development of the private sector and French companies, particularly through their commitment to CSR, is an essential way to improve France’s image on the continent. The trend of the recent Africaleads 2022 barometer of African opinion leaders, conducted with the IMMAR Institute, gives us some hope in this regard. »
The latter has submitted his resignation as Chairman of the Board. It has been a real honor to contribute to CIAN’s activities, which have helped defend the position of companies on the African continent and improve the business climate, » said Alexandre Vilgrain. I am delighted to pass the torch to Etienne Giros, with whom I have always enjoyed working. His experience and enthusiasm for the continent will make him a perfect representative of the private sector in Africa. I will continue to participate in the work of the Board of Directors, » he said, « He will remain a director of the association and will continue to sit on the Board.
Jérôme Fabre, Executive Chairman of the Compagnie fruitière, has been appointed Vice-Chairman of the association.
The French Council of Investors in Africa (CIAN) brings together and supports the majority of French companies invested in Africa. Its members account for 80% of French business volume on the continent. CIAN is a force for influence with public and private decision-makers in France, Europe and Africa.
