Said Oumar Koulibaly (born September 20, 1975) is a Guinean engineer and politician. After studying microelectronics and electrical engineering at the University of Quebec in Montreal, he began a successful career in the field of telecommunications, holding managerial positions at Bell Canada for more than ten years.
Returning to Guinea, he continued his career as head of major companies in the sector such as the Post and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (PATR), Guinea Telecom and Guinea de Large Band. (GUILAB). His expertise led him to be appointed Minister of Post, Telecommunications and the Digital Economy in 2020, a position he held until the fall of the Condé regime in September 2021. Married and father of 4 children, Said Oumar Koulibaly is an ardent advocate of digital development in Guinea.
Introduction
Said Oumar Koulibaly (born September 20, 1975) is a Guinean politician. His career has led him to key positions in the telecommunications sector in both Canada and Guinea, before being entrusted with the Ministerial Portfolio of Posts, Telecommunication and the Digital Economy in 2020. Traced in this biography, her brilliant rise testifies to her expertise and commitment to digital development in her country.
Education
Said Oumar Koulibaly began his postgraduate studies at the University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM), where he obtained a degree in microelectronics. Subsequently, he continued his training with a DESS in Electrical Engineering, also in Montreal. This solid technical training would enable him to build his skills in the field of telecommunications and digital technologies.
Professional career
After graduating, Said Oumar Koulibaly began his career in Canada with Bell Canada, a leading telecommunications company. For more than ten years, he has held various positions within the company, climbing the ladder as a senior technician at the test centre, director of advanced technical services and project and program director.
Minister
In July 2020, Said Oumar Koulibaly was appointed Minister of Post, Telecommunications and the Digital Economy in the Government of Kassory I by presidential decree. A few months later, in February 2021, he was re-elected to the Kassory II Government, demonstrating his confidence in the country’s digital projects. Unfortunately, his mandate was interrupted by the fall of the Condé regime on 5 September 2021.
Other activities
Prior to entering the highest spheres of power, Said Oumar Koulibaly held managerial positions in key companies in the telecommunications sector in Guinea. Between May 2011 and December 2015, he served as Deputy Director General of the Post and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (ARPT), before serving as Executive Director from late 2015 to August 2016.
Subsequently, he was appointed Managing Director of Guinea Telecom (formerly Sotelgui) for more than two years, and then General Manager of Guinea de Large Band (GUILAB) from May 2019 to July 2020, thus actively contributing to the development of the country's digital infrastructure.
Conclusion
Said Oumar Koulibaly’s journey is that of a man who is passionate about digital technologies and determined to contribute to the development of his country in this area. Through his solid education and diverse professional experience, acquired in both Canada and Guinea, he was able to climb the ladder to the top of the political sphere. Although his ministerial mandate has been interrupted by political events, his commitment and expertise remain a source of inspiration for future generations of Guinean entrepreneurs and decision makers in the digital sector.
