Christophe Lecourtier, the current French Ambassador to Morocco, has been appointed as the new Director General of the French Development Agency (AFD). The appointment was confirmed by an official decree published in the Journal Officiel on April 16, 2026.
Lecourtier, a career diplomat, has served as France's ambassador to Rabat since 2021. His tenure was marked by efforts to navigate a period of diplomatic tension between France and Morocco, followed by a recent rapprochement. He succeeds Rémy Rioux, who led the AFD for eight years.
The AFD is France's public development bank, financing projects in developing and emerging countries. The agency plays a key role in implementing France's international development and climate finance policies. Lecourtier's extensive diplomatic experience, particularly in North Africa, is seen as an asset for the agency's strategic direction.
The appointment is part of a standard governmental reshuffle and does not signal an immediate change in France's development strategy. Lecourtier is expected to take up his new duties following the official publication of his nomination.
