Samuel Gahigi

Chief Advisor, External Affairs, Africa | Rio Tinto

Samuel Gahigi joined Rio Tinto at the end of 2022 and is currently the Chief Advisor for Africa in the Group’s External Affairs team. He previously served the United Nations for over 20 years in various managerial positions. His most recent position was Political Director at the UN Regional office for Central Africa based in Libreville, Gabon, where he was in charge of supporting the UN’s  diplomatic engagement in eleven countries in the region, including Angola, the DRC and Rwanda.

Prior to this assignment, Samuel served successively as Deputy-Director for West Africa and the Sahel and for Eastern Africa (2015-2020) at the UN Headquarters, overseeing strategic engagement and supervising the teams in charge of backstopping multi-billion USD field operations in post-conflict environments (Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia, Mali, Sudan and South Sudan). Samuel also served in West Africa (2010-2013) successively as Head of Political Affairs of the UN peacebuilding office in Guinea-Bissau and Deputy-Head of the Political section of the UN Office for West Africa. In the latter capacity, he was closely involved in the pre-elections dialogue in Guinea (May-July 2013) that involved a wide range of Government and opposition and civil society stakeholders. His long experience with the United Nations has equipped him with solid knowledge of political, security and economic dynamics across Africa, and proven records in political negotiations and partnerships with key partners (UN Security Council, international financial institutions, etc).