Simplice ESSOH Appointed General Manager of SITARAIL
Since 24 July 2024, Simplice ESSOH, previously the Central Development Director, has been appointed as the new General Manager of SITARAIL, a railway subsidiary of AGL (Africa Global Logistics), part of the Italian-Swiss MSC group, operating the railway line Abidjan – Ouagadougou – Kaya. He replaces Quentin GERARD, who has been assigned to other functions within AGL.
Simplice ESSOH, a Public Works Engineer, 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 of Abidjan and IESE Business School of Barcelona. He began his career in 1994 as a Transport Studies Officer at the Directorate and Control of Major Works (formerly DCGTx), now BNETD in Côte d’Ivoire.
He joined SITARAIL in 2000 as the Head of Rail Hydrocarbons Traffic, then gradually held positions such as Head of the PCCC (Coordination and Control Command Post) from 2001 to 2003, Deputy Transport Director from 2003 to 2007 in Bobo Dioulasso, Commercial Director from 2007 to 2011, Transport Director 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 role, he led the development of the network renaissance program and the mobilization of technical and financial partners for its funding.
“I welcome this appointment with a sense of pride. I express my deep gratitude to the Board of Directors and the top management of the AGL group, headed by President Philippe LABONNE. I also acknowledge my predecessor, Quentin GERARD, for his work over the past seven years at the helm of our great company. I understand the significance of the responsibility that is now mine, as well as the stakes and expectations of our state partners, staff, clients, and the populations of our two countries. I am committed to working with all our stakeholders to ensure the success of this mission,” said Simplice ESSOH.
“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Simplice on his appointment. Given his nearly quarter-century professional journey within SITARAIL in various leadership roles and his extensive knowledge of the railway industry in Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso, I am confident he will succeed in his mission at the helm of SITARAIL,” said Asta-Rosa CISSÉ, Regional Director of AGL Côte d’Ivoire – Burkina Faso.
Quentin GERARD, the outgoing General Manager, has been promoted within the regional management of AGL, where he will oversee major group projects in Côte d’Ivoire. Since taking over the railway company in August 2017, he has introduced a new organizational and operational dynamic to the teams, enabling SITARAIL to achieve the record of transporting one million tonnes of goods in 2019, following a similar record in 2001.
About SITARAIL
SITARAIL (International African Rail Transport Company) is a railway subsidiary of AGL (Africa Global Logistics), operating since August 1995 the railway linking Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire) and Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso). It transports an average of 1,000,000 tonnes of freight annually. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the company transported 200,000 passengers annually. SITARAIL employs around 1,500 direct employees and generates 3,000 indirect jobs through subcontracting companies. Through its activities and its actions in health, education, and the environment, it is a key driver of socio-economic development and regional integration in West Africa.
