A distinguished Gambian statesman and development leader, Dr. Janneh brings over three decades of senior experience within the United Nations system to the chairmanship of AGI’s Board, and a steadfast belief in intra-African collaboration and inclusive governance.
Dr. Janneh served as UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Regional Director for Africa from 2000 to 2005, overseeing UNDP’s largest Regional Bureau: 45 sub-Saharan African countries and more than 1,500 staff.
His earlier UN career included postings as UNDP Resident Coordinator and Resident Representative in Ghana (1996–1999) and Niger (1993–1996), as well as Deputy Executive Secretary of the UN Capital Development Fund (1990–1993).
From 2005 to 2012, he served as UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). In this capacity, he strategically repositioned ECA to align with the priorities of the African Union and its NEPAD programme.
He fostered closer collaboration between ECA, the African Development Bank and the AU Commission, so that the continent’s leading institutions could better address Africa’s development challenges and regional integration goals, together.
Following his tenure at ECA, Dr. Janneh joined the Mo Ibrahim Foundation as Executive Director, Liaison with Governments and Institutions in Africa, based in Dakar, Senegal.
He sits on the boards of several prominent organisations, including the Africa Forum of Former Heads of State, Afrobarometer, International Lawyers of Africa (ILFA), AO Alliance Foundation and TrustAfrica.
Since 2022, Dr. Janneh has been a Member of the APRM Panel of Eminent Persons, and served as its Chairperson from 2022 to 2024.
