Profile

H.E Siandou Fofana

Minister of Tourism and Leisure
Republic of Côte d’Ivoire

The tourism industry in Côte d'Ivoire is blossoming with a new, sustainable springtime, earning Mr. Siandou FOFANA renewed recognition from his own people, as well as leadership that has established him in the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). A radiant fifty-something, Siandou FOFANA has been a born leader since his school days. From his native Agnibilékrou in the east of the country, to the UNWTO Presidium, through his successful career and brilliant university studies, everything testifies to his extraordinary destiny. His trade union and political career, which began in high school with the former Mouvement des Elèves et Etudiants de Côte d'Ivoire (MEECI), and his high level of responsibility within his RHDP party, all illustrate his success. On a regional and local level, as a charismatic leader adulated and sought-after by the people of Indénié-Djuablin, particularly in his stronghold of Agnibilekrou, his social and development actions have transcended his political positioning for over a decade. Yes, Siandou FOFANA, a man of great empathy, a lover of the arts, attached to tradition, this soccer and travel enthusiast is committed to a humanistic dimension to tourism, whose sustainability is based not only on a strong potential to be implemented, but also on managerial orthodoxy borrowed from scientific rigor. What could be more natural for this economics enthusiast? He holds a post-graduate degree in Finance, Business Engineering and International Trading from the Institut Supérieur du Commerce de Paris, and a diploma in Financial and Accounting Studies from the Institut National des Techniques Economiques et Comptables de Paris. The Ivorian Minister of Tourism also boasts several years' experience in the development and financing of airport and road infrastructures. His seven-year stint as General Manager of the Road Maintenance Fund (Fonds d'Entretien Routier - FER) is a milestone in his career. The orchestrator of the "Sublime Côte d'Ivoire" tourism development strategy, which aims to make tourism the 3rd pillar of the Ivorian economy and position the tourism ecosystem in the African Top 5 by 2025, is passionate about his work and constantly striving for excellence. An inveterate pacifist, Siandou FOFANA has set himself, in light of the bold policy of His Excellency Mr. Alassane OUATTARA, President of the Republic, as his credo, in conjunction with his Ministry: "Tourism, an Eldorado that rhymes with peace and stability". To this end, he has led the creation of the National Tourism Council (CNT) since 2019, with the vocation, in an approach based on participative dialogue, of creating a permanent framework for consultation with a view to looking in the same direction and working hand in hand for a win/win partnership between the private and public sectors. Under his leadership, Côte d'Ivoire launched the National Total Quality Program for tourism establishments, with the classification of accommodation establishments and restaurants, which was revived after a long hiatus. He endowed his Ministry with a General Directorate of Leisure, which deploys leisure activities, traditional games festivals and the promotion of digital games to make the country the sub-region's leisure and entertainment destination. The Dubai and Hamburg Round Tables (2019), the 1st Forum on Tourism Investment in Africa (2020), the 41st World Tourism Day (WTD) held on Ivorian soil, the Tourism Fortnight, a genuine road-trip that boosted the domestic offer, the National Festival of Traditional Games and Ivorian Cuisine, among others, have all demonstrated that Côte d'Ivoire is undeniably attractive. In terms of infrastructure, futuristic projects should positively change the face of our destination. Particularly in the business, medical and luxury tourism niches, with a focus on domestic tourism, while consolidating the gains made to promote regional and international tourism. All of this is to be achieved by training and strengthening human resources, and by embracing the innovative paradigms of digitalization and sustainable tourism. On the international stage, the Ivorian Minister of Tourism, outgoing Vice Chairman of the Executive Council of the World Tourism Organization, after having held the reins from 2021 to 2022 and also outgoing Chairman of the Africa Region, was elected, in July 2023, as one of the 9 eminences grises to lead the Task-Force whose mission is to "Rethink tomorrow's tourism". On September 03, 2023, Siandou Fofana was elected mayor of the commune of Agnibilékrou. Thanks to his hard work, proven leadership and love for Sublime Côte d'Ivoire, he has won the renewed confidence of His Excellency the President of the Republic, Alassane OUATTARA, as one of the Ministers reappointed in the latest cabinet reshuffle. Since Monday, October 16, 2023, he has been Minister of Tourism and Leisure in the Beugré MAMBE government.