Deputy Minister Ebrahim Ebrahim receives Credentials form NEPAD Secretariat CEO

Pretoria – International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Ebrahim Ebrahim today, 07 September 2009, received credentials from New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Secretariat Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Ibrahim Assane Mayaki at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.

Presenting his credentials Dr Mayaki indicated that “I am duly mandated by Mr Jean Ping, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, to take full and effective charge of the NEPAD Secretariat and to be the principal representative of the interests of the Interim African Union Office in South Africa”. In this regard Dr Mayaki expressed his intention to work closely with the Government of South Africa.  

In response, Deputy Minister Ebrahim said:”I wish to welcome you on behalf of the Government to South Africa and hope that the infrastructure provided by our country thus far has facilitated a conducive environment to effectively undertake the discharging of your responsibilities.” Deputy Minister Ebrahim also stressed that it was important for the South African and continental public to be made aware of the development and successes of NEPAD implementation.  

Dr Mayaki used the opportunity to brief Deputy Minister Ebrahim on the integration of NEPAD into the African Union and on the progress since the Maputo 2003 African Union Assembly decision and the recent AU Assembly decision in Sirte in Libya.

Dr Ibrahim Mayaki, a former Prime Minister of Niger, is the third CEO to be appointed and takes over from the Acting CEO, Ambassador Olukorebe Willoughby. Previously Professor Wiseman Nkuhlu of South Africa and Dr Firmino Mucavele of Mozambique held the position of CEO successively.

Dr Mayaki has extensive knowledge and a vast array of practical experience regarding African developmental issues. His appointment comes at a crucial time when plans are at an advanced stage for the integration of NEPAD into the African Union (AU).  

For more information contact Nomfanelo Kota on 082 459 3787.

Issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation
Private Bag x152
Pretoria, 0001

07 September 2009.


Curriculum Vitae (CV) of Dr. Ibrahim Assane Mayaki.

Dr. Ibrahim Assane Mayaki of the Republic of Niger is the new Chief Executive Officer of the Secretariat of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), headquartered in Midrand, South Africa.

Dr. Mayaki born in 1951 holds a Masters degree from the National School of Public Administration (Enap), Québec, Canada and a PhD in Administrative Sciences from the University of Paris I, France. He worked as a Professor of Public Administration in Niger and Venezuela. During 1996 and 1997 he was successively appointed Minister in charge of the African Integration and Cooperation and Minister of Foreign Affairs. In November 1997, he was appointed Prime Minister, a function he held until January 2000. In August 2000, he set up the Analysis Centre for Public Policy.

From 2000 to 2004, Dr Mayaki was a guest Professor at the University of Paris XI, where he lectured on international relations and organizations; he also led research at the Research Center on Europe and the Contemporary World within that university. In 2004, he was appointed as the Executive Director of the Platform in support of Rural Development in West and Central Africa, the Rural Hub, based in Dakar, Senegal, from where he was recruited as NEPAD Chief Executive Officer. He was appointed following a selection process that took several months to complete, under the auspices of the African Union Commission.

The appointment of Dr. Ibrahim Assane Mayaki was announced by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H. E. Dr. Jean Ping during the 20th Summit of the NEPAD Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee (HSGIC) on January 31, 2009 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The appointment was formally endorsed by the NEPAD Implementation Committee and subsequently by the 12th AU Assembly on February 2, 2009.

Dr. Mayaki, is the author of the book, entitled "Quand la caravane passe..." relating his political career.

Dr. Mayaki took up his assignment in the NEPAD Secretariat as CEO on April 1, 2009 in Midrand, South Africa.