Yasmine Tchoua, MBA Global Business Administration (2012), Managing Director of the Biodiversity Preservation Fund in Gabon

Yasmine Tchoua, who graduated in 2012 from UCO's MBA Global Business Administration program, is currently Managing Director of the Biodiversity Preservation Fund in Gabon. With over ten years' experience in the financial sector, and having been involved in sustainable financing projects for several years, she is now working to set up innovative mechanisms for the conservation of Gabon's biodiversity.

You are Managing Director of the Biodiversity Preservation Fund in Gabon. Could you tell us about your career?

I am Yasmine TCHOUA, Managing Director of the Fonds de Préservation de la Biodiversité au Gabon (FFBG) since September 1, 2024. My career path is marked by over ten years' experience in the financial sector, notably with Ecobank Gabon's treasury department and Libreville City Council as General Manager of Finance, before moving on to environmental projects. I continued my career at the Direction Générale de l'Environnement, where I was appointed focal point for the BIOFIN project with the UNDP, before taking up a consultancy position on the Blue Bonds and PFP projects with theNGO The Nature Conservancy (TNC), where I coordinated exchanges between Gabonese institutions and donors, and helped set up these innovative financing mechanisms.Today, I put my expertise in finance and institutional relations management to work for the conservation of Gabon's biodiversity.

What led you to work in sustainable development and nature-related finance? Was there a key moment in this choice ?

It was during my career, and in particular during my time at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, that I became aware of the fundamental importance of preserving the environment for our country. The One Forest Summit, held in Gabon, was a turning point. It was there that I discovered the potential of sustainable financing mechanisms to protect our natural resources. I subsequently joined projects such as BIOFIN with the UNDP and Blue Bonds with The Nature Conservancy, which enabled me to combine my financial skills with concrete environmental objectives.

What is your role and what are your main responsibilities within the FPBG?

As Managing Director of FPBG, I oversee the sustainable financing strategy to support biodiversity conservation in Gabon through the effective implementation of sustainable and innovative mechanisms. I am responsible for mobilizing resources, managing national and international partnerships, and developing innovative projects and mechanisms such as Blue Bonds and the PFP (Projet de Financement pour la Permanence). My role also includes the governance of the Fund, the rigorous monitoring of the projects financed, and the involvement of local stakeholders in a transparent and sustainable approach.

What memories do you have of your time at UCO and how has this experience influenced your career path?

I have very fond memories of my time at the Université catholique de l'Ouest. It was a fulfilling experience that allowed me to immerse myself with ease in the professional world. The supervision and academic support provided by UCO to its students are a gateway to the professional world.

What are your objectives with your team and what is your vision of the "green" future?

Our aim is to guarantee stable, long-term financing for the preservation of Gabon's ecosystems, while ensuring a tangible impact for local populations. We want to strengthen transparency, efficiency and innovation in our financing mechanisms. My vision of a green future is based on a sustainable economy, where biodiversity is at the heart of development, and where every project takes future generations into account. Gabon has the potential to be a world leader in green finance, and we are working towards this goal.

What advice would you give to UCO students considering a career in sustainable development?

Nowadays, the sustainable development sector gives the environment and ecology a wider profile. It's a sector that, through responsible practices, offers diverse opportunities for economic, environmental and social growth. I would also like to take this opportunity to encourage all UCO teaching staff to continue raising awareness of these major issues!