Thierry Tanoh, an Ivorian national, is Vice President for Sub-Saharan Africa and Western Europe, and a member of IFC's Management Group. In this new position, Mr. Tanoh leads IFC's strategy for the poorest and conflict-affected countries. He will also also oversee IFC's European offices in developed countries. Mr. Tanoh is IFC's first field-based vice president.

Prior to this assignment, from 2004 he was IFC Associate Director and became Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, where he was a key player in the expansion of IFC's activities in the region. With the Africa team, he helped drive the ten-fold increase in investment activity—from $140 million in 2003 to $1.4 billion in 2007. As part of the regional management team, he was responsible for integrating IFC's investment and advisory business lines in the region. He also led the Africa team's initiative to scale up activities in conflict-affected countries.

Mr. Tanoh joined IFC in 1994 through the Young Professionals Program. He initially worked in the Asia Department and then specialized in the chemicals and petrochemicals sector, handling transactions in Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. He moved to Brazil in 2001 to focus on transactions in Latin America. Before becoming a manager, Mr. Tanoh was involved in business development, deal structuring, and processing of some of IFC's largest transactions.

Prior to joining IFC, Mr. Tanoh worked for a consulting firm in Paris and with the banking commission of the West African Central Bank in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.

Mr. Tanoh holds a French certified public accountant qualification and a Masters in Business Administration from the Harvard Business School.