The Business Francophone Forum (FFA) brought together on Thursday, September 17, 2026, in Paris, many personalities from the economic, political, and diplomatic world for the presentation of the 2026 Economic Francophonie Award. It was in the salons of the Marcel Dassault Group that this prestigious distinction was awarded to Ngueto Tiraïna Yambaye, President of the African Guarantee and Economic Cooperation Fund (FAGACE) and President of the Club of Bank Executives and Financial Institutions in Africa.
By Christine Holzbauer, in Paris
The former Chadian Minister of Economy, Planning, and Development received a true international acclaim during the official presentation of his award. Louise Mushikiwabo, Secretary-General of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), Éric Trappier, President of the Dassault Group and President of the UIMM, as well as Dritan Tola, President of the Group of Francophone Ambassadors of France (GAFF), and Steve Gentili, President of the Business Francophone Forum and President of BRED Banque Populaire / BIC-BRED were all present to congratulate him.
During the award ceremony, the current head of the OIF paid tribute to the driving role played by the laureate within the Francophone financial ecosystem: “Economic development is the true foundation of Francophone solidarity. By honoring Mr. Ngueto Tiraïna Yambaye tonight, we celebrate a Francophonie of action, focused on investment, entrepreneurship, and strengthening sustainable partnerships between our continents. His commitment perfectly illustrates the transformative power of an economic Francophonie in the service of the people.”
On his part, Éric Trappier emphasized the strategic dimension of business networks in the Francophone space: “It is an honor to host this ceremony within the Dassault Group. Economic Francophonie is a concrete reality supported by visionary leaders who, like the President of FAGACE, build strong bridges between industries, the banking sector, and project holders.” Also speaking, Steve Gentili, President of the Business Francophone Forum and President of BRED, highlighted the importance of an engaged banking sector to support growth: “Economic Francophonie cannot thrive without strong, bold financial institutions rooted in the realities of the territories. By awarding this Prize to Ngueto Tiraïna Yambaye, we salute a major player who embodies this development finance capable of building sustainable banking synergies and creating shared value across the continent and the entire Francophone space.”
A career in service of Africa and development
This chorus of praises rewards the work of an economist and financial engineer who represented 23 African countries on the Board of Directors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Since 2020, he has been presiding over FAGACE, a pan-African institution dedicated to financing companies and strategic projects in its member states.
Upon receiving this distinction, Ngueto Tiraïna Yambaye, unanimously elected President of the Club of Bank Executives and Financial Institutions of Africa (CDBEFA) in 2024, expressed his gratitude – while recalling the profound meaning of his commitment: “This Economic Francophonie Award goes beyond just me: it consecrates the collective action of FAGACE and the entire African banking sector in favor of economic integration. The Francophonie we defend is not just a language community, it is a great platform of opportunities, a space where men and women from all backgrounds unite their skills to build future projects, together and in French.”
Focus on “Influential Francophonie”
The ceremony took place a few weeks before the Francophonie Summit, which will be held in Phnom Penh (Cambodia) from November 14 to 16 under the theme: “Reinvesting in peace for shared prosperity and sustainable stability.”
For the many contributors of the first issue of the magazine “Francophonie d’Influence” published by the Business Francophone Forum, beyond paying tribute to a key figure in African finance, this event was an opportunity to “reaffirm the willingness of Francophone economic actors to intensify cooperation, economic diplomacy, and the creation of shared value throughout the Francophone space“, as stated by its president.
