Jean-Louis Billon Minister of Commerce – Côte d’Ivoire

Would he be able to navigate his way through the country’s treacherous political currents and overcome the rapid decline of the national infrastructure to still keep his company afloat?

The French, who at one time numbered around 50,000, were leaving in droves and closing down their companies. The French accounted for a quarter of all foreign investment and French companies contributed roughly 50% of taxes. This exodus played havoc with the economic and commercial superstructure.

Thriving in adversity
But instead of withdrawing into his shell as many had expected, Jean-Louis seemed to thrive in adversity. He entered a partnership with global rubber giant Michelin in 2002 to stablise the rubber industry and also plunged himself into civil affairs.

In 2001, he was elected mayor of Dabakala, the town of his and his father’s birth. A year later, he was elected president of the national Chamber of Commerce and Industry and became involved in several other commercial and professional organisations. He was appointed board chairman of the United Bank of Africa, Côte d’Ivoire.

He also became very involved in the activities of the Convention of Ivorian Civil Society (CSCI), which was created in 2003 following the outbreak of civil war in the country in 2002. CSCI was made up of a cross section of Ivorian society and dedicated to trying to bring peace to the warring factions in the country and restore confidence in the economy.

‘We would like to double the number of SMEs over the next seven or so years’

As president of the Chamber of Commerce, Billon was part of an international campaign to try and persuade international investors, business and tourists to return to Côte d’Ivoire. In 2008, he made an impassioned speech in France, urging companies to return and help rebuild his country. He also established partnerships with Singapore-based global food giants Olam and Wilmar to help him raise productivity.

When the Prime Minister of France, François Fillon, visited Côte d’Ivoire in 2011, Jean-Louis, as president of the national chamber or commerce, assured him that France remained the country’s most important partner; he also however, pointed out that the world, and Africa had changed. “While Europe shows maturity, Africa is rich in youth; European growth is less dynamic, while the potential for growth in Africa in not even quantifiable,” he said.

He said that a resurgent Côte d’Ivoire would be a cornerstone of the new Africa which would become the main stage on which future global economic dramas would be played out. In short, the relationship was one of equals, “the logic of cooperation instead of confrontation”.

Given Jean-Louis Billon’s list of social and business achievements and his diplomatic skills, it is hardly surprising that President Alassane Ouattara would handpick him to begin the restoration of the country’s economic life.