FTHM Consulting, now 32 years strong, has just set down its roots in Abidjan, capital of business 2.0 in West Africa. The Malagasy firm is opening an office in Abidjan with the ambition of becoming a pan-African player in consulting. After 32 years of existence and 1,400 assignments carried out across the continent, FTHM Consulting is placing Cote d’Ivoire at the center of its business plan. By establishing a presence in Abidjan, the Malagasy expertise aims to expand its West African network from the Ivorian capital.
The management consulting landscape in Francophone Africa has just welcomed a new player. The Malagasy firm FTHM Consulting officially inaugurated its Abidjan office during a press conference held in Côte d’Ivoire’s economic capital. Founded 32 years ago, this independent firm, born in Madagascar, is now extending its footprint into West Africa. This expansion reflects the leadership’s determination to establish a lasting presence on a continent where the management consulting market remains largely dominated by international firms.
From the Indian Ocean to the Ébrié Lagoon: The Journey of a Generalist Firm
FTHM Consulting was founded in 1994, and since then the firm has completed more than 1,400 assignments in around thirty countries, mainly in Africa, but also in Europe and the Americas. Its founder and partner, Thierry Rajaona, did not hide his pride during the presentation. A former Accenture consultant, trained in the methods of major Anglo-Saxon firms, he chose to return to Madagascar in 1996 to develop a “generalist” consulting offering — a 360-degree approach. “My observation was simple: in Francophone Africa, when a company or a government needed a consulting assignment in strategy, organization, or information systems, firms had to be brought in from Paris, London, or New York. African offices, meanwhile, were confined to audit work. That made no sense.” explained Thierry Rajaona. His ambition was to create a firm offering the same range of expertise as the major international players, but with a strong local footprint and local teams. Today, FTHM is ISO 9001 certified — a recognition first obtained in 2007 and continuously renewed ever since. According to its founder, this certification enforces disciplined working methods, structured processes, and high-quality standards that directly benefit clients wherever they operate on the continent.
Why Abidjan? The Choice of a West African Hub
The question was on everyone’s mind: why wait thirty-two years before establishing a physical presence in Côte d’Ivoire? Thierry Rajaona answered candidly. “We were already operating here, without an office. We supported Groupe LASSIRE in its certification process, the Nouvelle Pharmacie de la Santé Publique with thirty-year financial projections, as well as subsidiaries of international groups. But we felt it was time to move to the next level.” If the choice fell on Abidjan, it was primarily for economic reasons. “When you look at West Africa, Côte d’Ivoire stands out as a natural hub. The country is dynamic, the private sector is well developed, and entrepreneurs are open-minded,” he emphasized. He was keen to clarify that the Ivorian government was not behind this move. It is a private decision, driven by market potential and the welcoming stance of local economic stakeholders. FTHM Consulting is also opening an office in Libreville, led by a Gabonese partner. The objective is now to build a coherent footprint across the continent, from its historic Indian Ocean bases (Madagascar, Mauritius, Comoros) to West and Central Africa.
A Team and a Method: Talent at the Heart of the Model
To lead this new office, the firm has appointed Jessica Nouraly. Having arrived from Madagascar seven months ago, her mission is to structure the local team and expand the client portfolio. For now, resources are shared with the group’s other offices, particularly those in Madagascar and Mauritius. However, the ambition is to replicate in Abidjan the model that has driven the firm’s success in its other locations. “We primarily recruit young graduates — bright minds from the best local schools,” explained Thierry Rajaona. “We train them on the job, through close supervision and continuous learning. That agility is our strength. An FTHM consultant can move from a strategy assignment to an HR mission, then to an information systems project. That versatility is part of our DNA.” The founder points to former team members who have gone on to become CEOs of major companies or launched their own ventures. For him, this demonstrates that the model develops agile and highly sought-after leaders.
A Pan-African Network in the Making: The RACE Project
Beyond its own growth, FTHM carries a broader ambition. Thierry Rajaona announced the launch, in the course of 2026, of the African Network of Excellence Firms (RACE). The idea is to bring together high-quality independent consulting firms across the continent. “We want to demonstrate that strong African expertise exists, that it deserves to be recognized, and that it can meet the needs of governments and businesses,” he emphasized. This network could enable competing firms to collaborate on certain tenders, pool resources or share expertise. “Even today, too many tenders in Africa are awarded to foreign firms simply because decision-makers are unaware that local capabilities exist. That has to change,” the founder insisted. In the same spirit, FTHM has chosen to join MGI, a global network of independent firms, rather than affiliate with one of the “Big Four.” “We remain independent, free in our methods and strategies. It is a deliberate choice,” Thierry Rajaona concluded.
AI, Digitalization, and the Challenges of Consulting: FTHM’s Vision for the Future
When asked about the evolution of the consulting profession, particularly with the rise of artificial intelligence, the founder took a pragmatic stance. “AI is both a threat and an opportunity. A threat because it can automate certain consulting tasks. An opportunity because companies will need guidance to adopt it. This is a new mission for us.” The same applies to digitalization. The firm has already supported several African central banks in digitizing their clearing systems and plans to further develop this expertise, tailoring solutions to each client’s specific needs. As the press conference concluded over breakfast, Jessica Nouraly and Thierry Rajaona emphasized one point: FTHM Consulting is not a consulting firm like any other. “We don’t sell off-the-shelf solutions,” the founder concluded. “We listen, we diagnose, we support. Every assignment is unique.” This is a philosophy that the Abidjan office now intends to embody along the shores of the Ébrié Lagoon.
Published on: 11 février 2026 by DJOMANDE Aziz