Thierry Zomahoun

Thierry Zomahoun leads the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), Africa’s first and biggest pan-African network of centers of excellence in mathematical sciences education. He spent the last 22 years of his career in international development and the consultancy sector, focusing mainly on innovative and scientific educational initiatives. He spearheaded the growth of AIMS Next Einstein Initiative from one to six centers of excellence established across Africa to harness the power of mathematical sciences for Africa’s development in academia, research, education, and industry. Considered an education innovator and science entrepreneur by policy makers, academic and research scientists and development influencers, Thierry is a development strategist, management expert and a thought-leader in innovative and strategic education initiatives. Thierry is also the chairman and founder of the Next Einstein Forum (NEF), a premier global forum for science, the first to ever take place on African soil. In 2016, the first edition of NEF gathered in Dakar with nearly 1,000 scientists (40 percent are women) from more than 100 countries including 15 young promising scientists (Next Einstein Fellows), and 54 science ambassadors from every African country. He founded the NEF to build a dynamic community of young scientists across Africa, showcase Africa’s scientific advances and to create a pan-African platform that engages African scientists–bringing the continent to the cutting-edge of science. In 2012, Thierry launched the AIMS Industry Initiative and African Solutions to bridge the gap between science, research, industry, and innovation. In 2016, the AIMS International Board of Directors announced the creation of the Thierry Zomahoun Fellowship Program established to enable promising young Africans and in honor of Thierry’s lifetime dedication to innovative education, science, and research.