LONDON, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Ivory Coast's former budget minister, Abdourahmane Cisse, is joining Lazard's sovereign advisory practice, the firm said on Thursday.
A former Goldman Sachs banker, 43-year old Cisse has held a number of ministerial and top government roles since 2013 in French-speaking West Africa's largest economy, overseeing budget and energy portfolios and serving as secretary general of the presidency under President Alassane Ouattara.
Lazard is a prominent player in sovereign advisory and debt restructurings, and has advised governments of Ghana, Zambia and Sri Lanka.
"His hire is a testament to our ever-growing commitment to emerging countries, particularly in Africa," said Lazard's Jean-Louis Girodolle, CEO of Investment Banking France and Co-Head of European Investment Banking in a statement.
(Reporting by Karin Strohecker)
((karin.strohecker@thomsonreuters.com; +442075427262; Reuters Messaging: karin.strohecker.reuters.com@reuters.net))