Nestle has dismissed its chief executive, Laurent Freixe, after just one year in the role due to his failure to disclose a “romantic relationship” with a “direct subordinate.” The decision followed an investigation triggered by a whistleblowing report.

• Laurent Freixe had been with Nestle for nearly 40 years, serving as global chief executive since September of last year.
• The inquiry was led by Nestle’s chair, Paul Bulcke, and lead independent director, Pablo Isla, with external counsel.
• Nestle confirmed that Mr. Freixe will not receive an exit package, and Philipp Navratil has been appointed as his successor.

Dr. Sidi Ould Tah has been sworn in as the ninth President of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), succeeding Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina. A Mauritanian national, Dr. Ould Tah, aged 60, was elected on May 29, 2025, with an unprecedented 76% of shareholder votes, marking the highest margin for a first-term president in the Bank’s history.

• Dr. Ould Tah previously oversaw expansion at the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), with assets growing from $4 billion to nearly $7 billion, and the institution achieved AA+/AAA credit ratings.
• He outlined his Four Cardinal Points for his presidency: listening intently, launching a fast-track reform agenda, deepening partnerships, and accelerating real solutions.
• Dr. Tah served as Minister of Economy and Finance of Mauritania between 2008 and 2015, and as Mauritania’s Governor on the Boards of the African Development Bank, World Bank, and Islamic Development Bank.

TotalEnergies Marketing Kenya has announced the appointment of Biova Agboutou as its new Director and Chairperson of the Board, effective September 1, 2025. She replaces Elodie Luce, who resigned to take on a new role within the TotalEnergies Group.

• Biova Agboutou brings extensive international experience, having held senior positions including LPG Vice President, Marketing and Services in Paris, and Deputy Managing Director of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline Project in Kampala.
• She also served as Managing Director and Country Chair of TotalEnergies in Madagascar.
• Agboutou holds a Master of Science from MIT and a Master of Engineering from CentraleSupélec.