Christophe Lecourtier, a senior French diplomat known for his economic expertise, has officially taken over as the head of the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) as of early 2026. His appointment was confirmed by the French government following a distinguished tenure as ambassador to Morocco.
Lecourtier's career has been marked by a focus on economic diplomacy, notably serving as the director of the French Treasury's international affairs department before his ambassadorship. His move to AFD is seen as a strategic choice to strengthen France's development finance arm, which manages billions in aid and investment projects worldwide.
During his time in Rabat, Lecourtier was praised for strengthening Franco-Moroccan economic ties, particularly in sectors like renewable energy and infrastructure. His departure was marked by official honors from Moroccan authorities, reflecting the strong bilateral relationship.
At AFD, Lecourtier faces challenges including climate finance and post-pandemic recovery in developing countries. He succeeds Rémy Rioux, who led the agency since 2016.
