Seoul, Republic of Korea – 4 May – The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Malle Fofana as Deputy Executive Director and Head of the Green Growth Implementation Directorate after an international competitive search.

Dr. Fofana brings more than two decades of experience in sustainable development, climate policy, and international cooperation. Since joining GGGI in 2018, he has held several senior leadership roles, including Country Representative for Burkina Faso, Country Representative for Ivory Coast, Regional Director for Africa, and subsequently Regional Director for Asia, where he oversaw the expansion and delivery of GGGI’s country programs across two of its largest and highly dynamic regions. Over the past year, he has also served as Officer-in-Charge in the Deputy Executive Director function, ensuring continuity of leadership during a period of organizational transition.

Dr. Fofana will oversee the delivery of GGGI’s global programmatic portfolio, comprising nearly 300 active projects across more than 50 countries, supporting Member and Partner States in advancing climate action, mobilizing green investment, and delivering inclusive and sustainable growth.

His appointment also represents a significant milestone, as he becomes the first representative from Africa to serve on GGGI’s Executive Team, reflecting both the organization’s global character and its strong commitment to country-driven development.

His appointment comes at a pivotal moment for GGGI, as the organization continues to scale its impact. In 2025 alone, GGGI mobilized USD 4 billion in green investment commitments, supported the adoption of 81 green growth policies, and delivered over 1,000 capacity-building activities. These results build on GGGI’s cumulative track record since its inception, including more than USD 18 billion in green investment commitments mobilized and hundreds of policies and programs supporting countries in advancing climate-resilient and low-carbon development.

Appointed in early 2025, Executive Director Mr. Sang-Hyup Kim has led a renewed strategic vision to position GGGI as an indispensable global asset for countries navigating an increasingly complex climate and economic landscape.

“Over the past year, GGGI has achieved close to 20 percent growth, despite a challenging and rapidly evolving geopolitical environment,” said Mr. Kim. “This progress reflects the strength of our teams and the relevance of our mission. Dr. Fofana has been instrumental in driving this growth through his leadership across regions and programs. I am delighted to welcome him as Deputy Executive Director and Head of Green Growth Implementation Directorate, and I am confident he will help us further scale our impact and deliver even greater results for our Member States.”

Dr. Fofana’s leadership has been marked by a strong emphasis on country ownership, partnership-building, and results-driven delivery. He has played a key role in expanding GGGI’s presence, strengthening relationships with governments and development partners, and advancing investment-ready projects aligned with national climate priorities.

Reflecting on his appointment, Dr. Fofana said:
“GGGI’s greatest strength lies in its people, their expertise, their dedication, and their belief in the power of green growth to transform lives. I am honored to serve as Deputy Executive Director at such an important time for the organization. Together, we will continue to empower our teams and partners to deliver solutions that respond to countries’ needs and create lasting impact for communities.”

As GGGI continues to grow in both scale and ambition, the organization remains focused on strengthening its institutional foundations, expanding partnerships, and delivering high-impact programs that support countries in achieving their climate and development goals.