Mr. Mossadeck Bally is a distinguished entrepreneur and pioneering figure in Africa’s hospitality industry, serving as Founder and Chairman of the Board of Azalaï Hotels Group, a leading private hotel chain in West Africa.
With an exceptional track record of building a pan-West African hospitality brand from the ground up, Mr. Bally brings valuable strategic insights and regional expertise to Nova Business School Africa’s International Advisory Board. His business acumen, coupled with deep understanding of the African business landscape, provides essential guidance to the School’s mission of developing the next generation of African business leaders.
Mr. Bally established the Azalaï Hotels Group in 1994, beginning with the acquisition of the Grand Hôtel de Bamako through a state privatization initiative. Under his visionary leadership, the Group has expanded to numerous countries across West Africa, including Burkina Faso, Guinea Bissau, Benin, Mauritania, Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal, with additional projects under development in Guinea, Niger, and Cameroon. Today, the Azalaï Hotels Group stands as a testament to successful African entrepreneurship, employing approximately 700 people directly and creating over 2,000 indirect jobs throughout the region.
Mr. Bally holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of San Francisco, California. Born to Malian parents with a strong tradition in commerce and trading, he was raised in Niger and Mali before pursuing his international education in France and the United States.
As an advocate for African entrepreneurship, Mr. Bally exemplifies the transformative potential of visionary business leadership on the continent. His participation on Nova Business School Africa’s International Advisory Board reinforces the institution’s commitment to promoting sustainable business practices and fostering a new generation of African business leaders prepared to address the continent’s unique challenges and opportunities.