Samba Thiam

Nationality: Mauritanian

Languages: English, French, Wolof, Pulaar, Hassanya, Arabic, Swedish.

Notable Academic Achievements:

After completing his Bachelor’s Degree in 1974 (ranked second at the national level), Samba Thiam went on to obtain a License and Master in Economy from the University of Saint-Etienne, in 1977 and 1978 respectively. An Economic Research Diploma (DEA) and a PH.D in Economy from the University of Lyon II Lumière soon followed, in 1979 and 1981 respectively. Between 1982 and 1983, Samba Thiam also studied at the Technical Institute of Banking in France.

Notable Professional Achievements:

Samba Thiam started his career at the Central Bank of Mauritania in 1982, as the Chief Economist in the Research Department until 1985, when he became the Director of Research. His career took a political bend when, in 1986, he became the Minister of Budget in Mauritania. Between 1987 and 1990, he acted as an Advisor to the Governor of Banking Sector Reform and the Governor and Director of Banking Supervision Control and Reform, subsequently.

In April 1990, Samba Thiam joined the IMF and by July 1994, had become a Resident Representative for the Fund in Senegal; this, until July 1997. Upon his return, and until 1999, Samba Thiam worked on various Desks for the African and Middle Eastern Departments, taking on the title of Senior Desk Economist starting in January 1998.

Samba Thiam returned to Mauritania in 2001, and until 2004, acted as an Economical and Financial Advisor to the President of the Republic. Between 2004 and 2005, he was also the General Manager of the National Water Company (SNDE), in charge of the major Aftout Es Saheli water project.

Samba’s return to the United States in 2006 was brief: between 2007 and 2018, he was, sequentially, a Representative Resident for Gabon, Djibouti and Somalia (based in Nairobi, Kenya).

Notable Publications:

• DEA: "Study on the evolution of selected enterprises’ shares: Lyon's stock exchange" 1979 Lyon II (France).

• "Economic development and monetary autonomy: Case study on Mauritania" 1981 Lyon II (France) [Thesis].

• Co-author of the PREF (Programme de Redressement Économique de la Mauritanie) 1985-86.

Notable Awards:

Samba Thiam is the recipient of the National Order of the Lion of Senegal, and an Officer of the National Order of Djibouti.

He was also, among other distinctions, the Chairman of the Sub-Saharan African staff of the IMF and Vice-Chair of the World Bank-IMF Africa Club, and Member of the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of Mauritania.

Presently, Samba is a member of the IMFRA Board of Directors,

Collaborates with IFA “Initiative for Africa” and the CAP “Coherent Africa Plarform”.