Simplice Essoh appointed Chief executive officer of Sitarail
Since July 24, 2024, Simplice ESSOH, previously Central Development Director , is the new Managing Director of SITARAIL, the railway subsidiary of AGL (Africa Global Logistics) which is part of the Italian-Swiss MSC group and operates the Abidjan – Ouagadougou – Kaya railway line. He replaces Quentin GERARD, who has been called to other positions within AGL.
A Public Works Engineer, Simplice ESSOH holds a DESS in Management from IAE Paris – Sorbonne Panthéon, a diploma in project monitoring and evaluation from CEFEB (AFD) and a Certificate of Program for Management Development (PMD) from MDE Business School in Abidjan and IESE Business School in Barcelona. He began his career in 1994 as a Transport Research Officer at the Directorate and Control of Major Works (Ex DCGTx), now BNETD in Côte d’Ivoire.
He joined SITARAIL in 2000 as Head of Hydrocarbon Rail Traffic, then gradually held the positions of Head of the PCCC (Coordination and Control Command Post) from 2001 to 2003, Deputy Director of Transport from 2003 to 2007 in Bobo Dioulasso, Commercial Director from 2007 to 2011, Director of Transport from 2011 to 2016 and Central Director in charge of Operations from 2016.
In 2022, he was promoted to Central Development Director. In this strategic position, he led the development of the network’s revival program and the mobilization of technical and financial partners for the financing of the said program.
«It is with a sense of pride that I welcome this appointment. I would like to express my deep gratitude to the Board of Directors and the TOP management of the AGL Group, led by President Philippe Labonne. I also salute my predecessor, Quentin Gerard, for the work he has done over the past seven years at the head of our great company. I am aware of the importance of the responsibility that is now mine, but also the challenges and expectations of our state partners, staff, customers and the populations of our two countries. I am therefore committed to working with all our stakeholders to ensure the success of this mission. » Simplice Essoh, Chief executive officer of Sitarail
«I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to Simplice on his appointment. In view of his professional career of nearly a quarter of a century within SITARAIL in several positions of responsibility, and his perfect knowledge of the railway activity in Côte d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso, I am convinced that he will succeed in his mission at the head of SITARAIL. » Asta Rosa Cissé, Regional Director of AGL Côte d’Ivoire – Burkina Faso
Quentin GERARD, outgoing Chief Executive Officer, has been promoted to AGL’s Regional Directorate, where he will be in charge of managing the group’s major projects in Côte d’Ivoire. Arriving at the head of the railway company in August 2017, he has been able to breathe new organizational and operational dynamics into the teams, thus enabling SITARAIL to return to the record of one million tons of goods transported in 2019, after that of 2001.
About SITARAIL
SITARAIL (Société Internationale de Transport Africain-par Rail) is the railway subsidiary of AGL (Africa Global Logistics) which has been operating the railway linking Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire) and Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) since August 1995. It transports an average of 1,000,000 tonnes of freight each year. Before the outbreak of COVID-19, the company transported 200,000 travellers annually. SITARAIL employs around 1,500 direct employees and generates 3,000 indirect jobs via subcontracting companies. Through its activity and actions in favour of health, education and the environment, it is an essential vector for socio-economic development and regional integration in West Africa.
Press contact:
Mathieu SOUBEIGA
Head of the Communication and External Relations Department – SITARAIL
mathieu.soubeiga@sitarail.com – T +226 56 94 53 93 / +225 07 999 751 29
