Assietou Diouf serves as the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of VaxSen, a wholly owned subsidiary of Institut Pasteur of Dakar, leading the commercialisation of vaccines across Africa and globally.

A seasoned executive, Assietou brings to VaxSen a diverse international experience with public and private organisations as well as expertise in financial governance, global health, transformation and risks management.

Previously, Ms Diouf was Chief Financial Officer of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, where she played a pivotal role in championing vaccine accessibility. Before joining Gavi, she was Director of Programming, Budgeting, Finance and Accounting at the African Union, where she advised senior leadership on financial strategies and led the financial component of the African Union’s budgetary and financial management reforms.

Ms Diouf’s private-sector experience spans senior roles at several leading financial institutions in Senegal, the UK and the UAE. She is a Trustee of IFRS Foundation and a member of several not for profit organisations (Integrate Health, International Financial Reporting for Non-Profit Organisations -IFR4NPO).

Ms Diouf is a qualified chartered accountant (France). She received a Master’s degree in Finance and Business Administration from Sup de Co Amiens in France and holds certifications in Authentic Leadership from Harvard and in Corporate Strategy from the Balanced Scorecard Institute. 

Today, she leads the charge to redefine vaccine manufacturing in Africa. At VaxSen, she spearheads efforts to forge strategic collaborations, drives regional regulatory harmonization, and fosters innovation, ensuring VaxSen delivers on its promise to build Africa’s health sovereignty. Under Assietou’s guidance, VaxSen is not just manufacturing vaccines—it is manufacturing hope for a healthier, more resilient Africa.