Tertius ZONGO

Former Prime minister of Burkina Faso, Senior Fellow and Director of the Sahel Chair at the FERDI

Biographie

Tertius Zongo was born in Koudougou. In June 1995, he became Minister Delegate for the Budget and Planning under the Minister of Economy, Finance and Planning. In February 1996, he became government spokesman in addition to his role as Minister Delegate and was government spokesman until November 2000. His portfolio was replaced by that of Minister Delegate for Finance and Economic Development, headed by the Prime Minister, in September 1996; he was then promoted to Minister of Economy and Finance on 10 June 1997. He remained in the latter position until November 2000. On 14 February 2002, he became ambassador to the United States, until he was appointed Prime Minister in June 2007.

Tertius Zongo has also served as Governor for Burkina Faso at the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the African Development Bank and the Islamic Development Bank. In 1992, he was Director General for Cooperation at the Ministry of Finance and Planning and Head of the Multilateral Cooperation Department from 1988 to 1992. He has also been a professor of accounting, business economics and financial analysis at the University of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Tertius Zongo holds a master's degree in economics from the Institut d'administration des entreprises in France.

Zongo is Director of the Sahel Chair of the Foundation for International Development Studies and Research (Ferdi), where he is a senior fellow and member of its executive committee.

Diplomas

• Bachelor's degree and Master's degree in economics, business management, awarded by the University of Dakar (Senegal);
• DESS in business administration, awarded by the Institut d'administration des entreprises (IAE) of the University of Nantes (France).

Professional career

• Professor of Accounting, Business Economics and Financial Analysis, University of Ouagadougou;
• Secretary General of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Handicrafts of Burkina Faso;
• Director General of the National Cereals Office;
• Governor for Burkina Faso at the World Bank;
• Governor for Burkina Faso at the International Monetary Fund;
• Governor for Burkina Faso at the African Development Bank;
• Governor for Burkina Faso, Islamic Development Bank;
• 1988-1992: Head of the Multilateral Cooperation Department;
• 1992-? Director General for Cooperation, Ministry of Finance and Planning;
• January 2002-June 2007: Ambassador of Burkina Faso to the United States.

Government positions

• 1995-1996: Minister of Budget and Planning in the government of Roch Marc Christian Kaboré;
• 1996-1997: Minister of Budget and Planning in the government of Kadré Désiré Ouédraogo,
• 1997-2000: Minister of the Economy and Finance, in the government of Kadré Désiré Ouédraogo;
• 2000-2001: Minister of Economy and Finance, in the government of Paramanga Ernest Yonli;
• 4 June 2007: Prime Minister