Dr. Leila Bouamatou is the first woman to lead a bank in Mauritania, serving as CEO of the Générale de Banque de Mauritanie (GBM). Under her visionary leadership, the bank underwent a successful transformation, embracing full digitalization, expanding SME financing, and launching a pioneering Islamic finance division tailored to local market needs.
Her achievements have earned her repeated recognition on the continent: she has been featured for six consecutive years among the 100 personalities transforming Africa, and was named among the most influential CEOs in African finance in both 2023 and 2024.
Beyond banking, Dr. Bouamatou is a vocal advocate for women’s empowerment, especially in the economic and educational spheres. She serves as an executive officer of the Bouamatou Foundation, spearheading impactful social initiatives such as scholarship programs for Mauritanian students around the world.
Her strategic insight and trusted leadership have also led her to serve on the boards of Kinross Gold, Macomab, and the Djibouti Sovereign Fund.