Ramatoulaye Diallo N'Diaye is a visionary African leader whose work blends diplomacy, cultural renaissance, climate action, and innovative finance into a uniquely powerful voice for transformation on the continent. Her journey reflects a lifelong commitment to dignity, heritage, ecological stewardship, and the belief that Africa's cultural and environmental wealth can serve as a foundation for a new era of prosperity.
As CEO of the Great Green Wall of Africa Foundation, she leads a continent-wide mission to restore landscapes, build climate resilience, and unlock new pathways for sustainable development. Her work focuses on mobilizing impact capital, forging strategic partnerships across global institutions, and ensuring that African communities remain at the center of the transformation of the Great Green Wall into one of the world's most ambitious ecological projects.
Ramatoulaye also serves as Chair of the Africa Impact Finance Subgroup of the Global Impact Disclosure Taskforce, a role through which she helps shape a more inclusive global financial architecture for small and medium enterprises. Her leadership emphasizes transparency, dignity, and the central role of African voices in defining new standards for sustainability and impact.
Before entering the world of climate action and finance, Ramatoulaye served as Minister of Culture, Handicrafts and Tourism of Mali. In this role, she championed the protection of cultural heritage, the creative economy, and the global visibility of African cultural assets. Her diplomatic and cultural leadership has touched global platforms including UNESCO, world expositions, multilateral initiatives, and high-level international forums.
Her signature frameworks, such as Culture as Capital, the Bridge of Dignity, and the Ubuntu Earth Fundarticulate a philosophy rooted in harmony between people, land, and identity. These concepts guide her work and inspire new models of development that honor Africa's traditions while embracing innovation, inclusion, and global collaboration.
Her contributions have earned her prestigious distinctions including Officer of the National Order of Mali, Commander of the National Order of Merit of France, the UNESCO 70th Anniversary Medal, and the UAE Government Decoration. She also serves on the boards of Human Capital Africa and the School of Politics, Policy and Governance.
Ramatoulaye holds a PhD from CEDS Dakar. Her research explores the Great Green Wall as a symbol of time, resilience, and generational responsibility. Today she stands among Africa's most influential and trusted voices working to advance climate justice, cultural sovereignty, peace, and human dignity across the continent and beyond.