Raphael Edou

A well-resourceful person with skills and academic credentials from Universities in Africa, Europe, and USA, Raphael Edou, has led governmental positions such as advisor of the president and as minister in charge -of environment, climate change, natural resources protection – and for local governments and territorial administration. He has a lot of experience in managing complex programs with budgets ranging from $10 thousands to $60 million over the last 10 years. In addition, he designed and managed more than 20 projects in community development, poverty alleviation, agriculture, sustainability and built capacities for 200 small and mid-size businesses. One his greatest achievement is the community -based microcredit created in 1996, that lends currently, $15,000,000 to 100,000 people yearly. Comfortable in French and English, he has demonstrated a real leadership at the local, national, and international levels for more than 15 years. He won the first prize of Japanese Award for Most Innovative Development Project in 2007 in Beijing and one of his projects got in 2002, the Dubai International Award for Best Practices granted by United Nations and Dubai Municipality. He lives currently in the US.