Biography
From Rufisque to the highest offices of State
The son of Rufisque who became a statesman
Born on 13 January 1970 in Rufisque to a Saafi father from the village of Kignabour, near Popenguine, and a Lebu mother, El Hadji Abdourahmane Diouf grew up in the old town, where he earned his baccalaureate at Lycée Abdoulaye Sadji.
After a master's degree in local government law at Gaston Berger University in Saint-Louis, he continued his studies in Switzerland: a postgraduate diploma in international law at the University of Geneva (1999), an advanced degree in communication and media studies (2002), and a doctorate in international economic law at the University of Bern (2007).
A leading international consultant, he has worked with the WTO, UNDP, ECOWAS, WAEMU, CEMAC, USAID, GIZ and UNITAR, and has taught in Morocco, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Togo, Afghanistan and Switzerland.
Key milestones
Born in Rufisque
Born on 13 January 1970. Educated in Rufisque through to his baccalaureate at Lycée Abdoulaye Sadji.
Gaston Berger University, Saint-Louis
Master's degree in local government law, before leaving for Switzerland.
Studies in Switzerland
Postgraduate diploma in international law (Geneva, 1999), advanced degree in communication and media (2002), then a PhD in international economic law and international trade at the World Trade Institute, University of Bern (2004–2007).
International consultant — 2ACD
Executive Director of the African Agency for Trade and Development (2010–2024), between Geneva and Dakar, and founder of DIOUF Premium Invest. Assignments for the WTO, UNDP, ECOWAS, WAEMU and many States. A defender of African cotton and human rights, he helped shape Africa's position during the creation of the International Criminal Court.
Director General of SONES
Appointed head of Senegal's National Water Company on 12 November 2012.
Local elected official in Rufisque
Departmental councillor for Rufisque and municipal councillor for Rufisque-Est. Head of the executives' unit (CECAR) of the Rewmi party, of which he was spokesperson.
Senegalese Investors Club
Director of the CIS from July 2019 to October 2020, at the heart of promoting the national private sector.
Founding of the AWALE party
The party was launched on 30 October 2021 at the Place du Souvenir Africain, around a project for a “new republic”. He also founded the private university IACD (African Institute for Trade and Development).
Minister of Higher Education
After supporting candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye, he was appointed Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation on 5 April 2024 in Ousmane Sonko's first government.
Minister of Environment and Ecological Transition
From September 2025 to June 2026, he led Senegal's environmental policy and its ecological transition programmes.
Minister of Energy and Petroleum
Appointed on 1 June 2026 by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye in the government of Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Lô, he officially took office on 11 June 2026, succeeding Birame Soulèye Diop at the head of this strategic sector.
“I pledge to serve the Republic with loyalty, rigour and dedication, so that our energy resources contribute fully to national sovereignty, shared prosperity and the well-being of our fellow citizens.”Dr El Hadji Abdourahmane Diouf — Taking office, 11 June 2026
Discover his vision for Senegal
Energy sovereignty, universal electrification and transparent resource management.
Vision & Achievements