Ibrahima Aidara

As deputy Africa director, Ibrahima supports the strategic leadership and management of NRGI’s work across sub-Saharan Africa. Based in Dakar, he provides program oversight in focus countries, guiding efforts with governments, civil society and communities to improve natural resource governance, promote equity and accountability, and respond to the challenges and opportunities of the energy transition and the phase-out of fossil fuels. 

With over 25 years of experience in policy analysis, governance reform and institutional development, Ibrahima has held leadership and advisory roles across academia, civil society, government, and international organizations. Before joining NRGI, he served as executive director of the West Africa Centre for Public Policies and director of the Public Policy Research Unit at LASPAD, Gaston Berger University, where he led research and advocacy initiatives on governance and inclusive policy solutions. He previously held senior leadership roles with Open Society–Africa and the Open Society Initiative for West Africa, where he oversaw regional governance strategies and economic policy reform programs. Earlier in his career, he held technical and leadership positions with UNDP, Oxfam, Consumers International and Senegal’s Ministry of Economics and Planning. 

His research and advisory work span fiscal policy, governance of extractive industries, climate and energy transition, innovative financing, and public sector reform. He also serves as a public policy adviser to Wetlands International West Africa Office and a senior analyst on innovative financing for Africatalyst. 

Ibrahima holds a Ph.D. in economics and advanced degrees in macroeconomics, economic policy and development studies. Fluent in French, English, and several West African languages, he brings both regional depth and global perspective to his leadership.