Thomas Melonio

Chief Economist – Executive Director of Innovation, Strategy and Research – Agence Française de Développement (AFD)

Researcher

Country and region : Africa, Eurasia and Beyond, China

Theme : Financial Systems, Education and Training, Governance

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Overview

An economist by training, (HEC, PhD at Sciences Po Paris), Thomas Melonio joined AFD in 2005, where his first position was in the Research department. His work covered issues from education funding and student loans, to international migration. From 2012 to 2017, he served as Deputy Advisor, then as Advisor on Africa to the French President. He subsequently returned to AFD as Director of Partnerships, before being appointed Executive Director of Innovation, Strategy and Research in 2018. He was appointed as AFD’s Chief Economist in April 2024.

In this dual role, he manages a cross-functional department including the Research, Strategy, Evaluation, Innovation and Publications units. The objective is for AFD to be a platform for reflection and knowledge sharing in the preparation and implementation of just and sustainable development trajectories. As Chief Economist, he helps guide the Group’s strategic thinking and engages in dialogue with other major financial institutions, for example, within the network of Chief Economists of development agencies and international financial institutions.

In parallel, Thomas Melonio continues to publish, with a focus on issues related to development finance.