Eric Kacou

Eric Kacou is a Managing Director at the OTF Group, Inc. Leader of the Africa and Country Competitiveness practices, Mr. Kacou also oversees the strategy and marketing of the firm. Born and raised in Cote d’Ivoire, he is an expert in post-conflict economic reconstruction, competitiveness and enterprise solutions to poverty.

Mr. Kacou has advised leaders of over a dozen African and Caribbean nations, corporations and development institutions. Specifically, Mr. Kacou leads the Rwanda National Innovation and Competitiveness (RNIC) program, an initiative by His Excellency President Paul Kagame to upgrade the competitiveness of Rwanda’s economy. This Program, which is the first of its kind in Africa, is credited with helping Rwanda revitalize its economy.

In addition, Mr. Kacou oversees the Pioneers of Prosperity Africa award program. This is an annual, multi-million dollar, initiative between the Social Equity Venture Fund (SEVEN), OTF Group and selected institutions to recognize dynamic companies in emerging markets that can be an inspiration for future business leaders.

Prior to joining the OTF Group, Mr. Kacou worked as a strategy consultant with Monitor Company in Toronto and Paris advising senior Fortune 500 executives mostly in pharmaceuticals, telecommunications and manufacturing. A frequent speaker, Mr. Kacou contributed to “In the River They Swim,” an original book of essays, published by Templeton Press in April 2009. Mr. Kacou earned his MBA at the Wharton School, and a B.A. in Finance at the Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales (HEC) in Montreal, Canada.