His Excellency Issoufou Mahamadou
His Excellency Issoufou Mahamadou
Former President of Niger
Founder and President of Fondation Issoufou Mahamadou
H.E. Issoufou Mahamadou, former President of the Republic of Niger (2011–2021), currently founder and president of Fondation Issoufou Mahamadou (FIM), is a visionary leader renowned for his transformative contributions to democracy, peace, and development in Africa. During his presidency, Niger achieved its first democratic transition, strengthened institutions, and advanced economic and regional initiatives, including his pivotal role in establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area.
A mathematician and engineer by education and training, Issoufou began his career in the mining sector before co-founding the Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism (PNDS-Tarayya), which he led to national prominence. In May 2022, UN Secretary-General António Guterres entrusted him with chairing the High-Level Panel on Security and Development in the Sahel, recognizing his expertise in tackling regional challenges.
Issoufou’s remarkable leadership has been celebrated globally with numerous honours, including:
* Grand-Croix de l’Ordre National du Niger (2011)
* Grand-Croix de la Légion d’Honneur (France)
* Grand-Cordon (Tunisia, Mali, and Benin)
* Ordre du Roi Abdelaziz (Saudi Arabia, 2017)
* Grand-Croix de l’Ordre International de Palmes Académiques du CAMES (2018)
* Prix du Champion de la Troisième Décennie du Développement Industriel de l’Afrique
* Grand Prix Artisan de la Paix et de la Démocratie (2020)
* Mo Ibrahim Prize for African Leadership
* Prix de l’Africain de la Décennie (2021)
* Prix du Leadership Présidentiel (2020)
* Prix International de la Décennie pour le Rapprochement de la Culture (2022).
Through the Fondation Issoufou Mahamadou (FIM), he continues to champion peace, democracy, climate action, and human capital development, solidifying his legacy as one of Africa’s most impactful leaders.