Daouda Sembene is the CEO of AfriCatalyst, a global development advisory firm headquartered in Dakar, Senegal. He also serves as a Distinguished Non-resident Fellow at the Washington-based Center for Global Development (CGD).
Daouda is currently a member of the G20 Africa Expert Panel appointed by the South African G20 Presidency. He was also a member of the Jubilee Commission of Experts chaired by Professor Joseph Stiglitz and commissioned by late Pope Francis to address debt and development crises.
His extensive career includes leadership roles at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), representing 23 African countries on the Executive Board. Notably, he chaired committees aimed at enhancing collaboration between the IMF and global institutions such as the World Bank, the United Nations, and the World Trade Organization (WTO).
He also served as an Economic advisor to the President of Senegal and was appointed Special Advisor on food security to the Chair of the African Union. Daouda's expertise is sought globally, providing testimony to US Congress and consulting for major international organizations.
Daouda holds a PhD in development economics from American University (Washington, DC) and has authored numerous publications focusing on macroeconomic policies and low-income countries developmental challenges.