Tidjane Thiam has officially launched his bid for the presidency of Ivory Coast. The 62-year-old former CEO of Credit Suisse will represent the Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI) as its sole candidate. His return to national politics marks a major shift after more than two decades of working in international business.
To qualify for the race, Thiam renounced his French citizenship, as Ivorian law requires presidential candidates to hold only Ivorian nationality.
Although Thiam holds a prominent reputation in global finance, many Ivorians at the grassroots level know little about him. Political analyst Geoffroy Kouao noted that Thiam’s long absence from domestic politics could make his campaign challenging.
To address this, Thiam plans to run a vigorous grassroots campaign aimed at introducing himself to voters and earning their trust.
He began his career with distinction. As the first Ivorian to pass the entrance exam for France’s prestigious Polytechnique engineering school, he quickly emerged as a national talent. In 1998, at age 36, he became Ivory Coast’s minister of planning under the PDCI government. A coup the following year removed the party from power, ending Thiam’s initial political role.
Thiam then moved abroad and shifted his focus to business. He rose quickly through top roles at Aviva and later became CEO of Prudential in 2009, becoming the first Black executive to lead a FTSE 100 company in the UK.
During his time at Prudential, regulators reprimanded him for a lack of transparency in a proposed acquisition. He later became CEO of Credit Suisse, leading the Swiss bank for five years. In 2020, Thiam stepped down after a scandal involving surveillance of two former colleagues—allegations he continues to deny.
Despite his years abroad, Thiam maintains deep political ties in West Africa. He is the great-nephew of Ivory Coast’s first president, Félix Houphouët-Boigny. His uncle, Habib Thiam, served as prime minister of Senegal for nine years across two terms.
His pedigree, international experience, and reformist image may appeal to voters seeking change. However, President Alassane Ouattara, now 83, has signaled interest in seeking a fourth term, which could complicate the race.
Ivory Coast’s 2025 election arrives at a time when many citizens are calling for generational leadership and democratic renewal. Authorities have barred several prominent politicians, including former President Laurent Gbagbo, from running. This opens a potential opportunity for candidates like Thiam.
As the campaign season nears, Thiam must connect his international accomplishments with national priorities. His success will depend on clear messaging, local engagement, and uniting his party behind a shared vision for the country’s future.
