Laurent Potet

Laurent Potet is a highly accomplished leader in digital transformation and strategic intelligence, with more than two decades of international experience spanning Europe, Africa, and Asia. He holds a PhD in Business Administration from Paris Dauphine University, where his research focused on organizational secrecy and competitive intelligence in cooperative and competitive (coopetitive) contexts. Laurent’s career is distinguished by his technical expertise, strategic vision, and proven ability to deliver large-scale digital initiatives for governments, international donors, and the private sector.

Laurent has played a pivotal role in conceptualizing, managing, and evaluating digital transformation programmes valued at over €3 billion, with direct responsibility for multi-million-euro projects in ICT4Dev, e-government, and digital innovation. He has extensive experience providing technical assistance and policy advice to the European Commission, notably as Team Leader and Senior Digital Policy Advisor for DG INTPA and DG EEAS under Knowledge Hub Digital Facility, where he supported the design, implementation, and monitoring of the EU’s global digital agenda, including the Digital4Development (D4D) strategy and the Global Gateway initiative. His work has encompassed drafting national and regional digital strategies, developing performance monitoring frameworks, and leading the creation of policy playbooks for digital transformation, used by governments and EU delegations worldwide.

Laurent’s expertise covers the full spectrum of digital transformation, from the design and deployment of digital infrastructure to the development of legal, regulatory, and institutional frameworks that foster digital inclusion and bridge the digital divide. He has advised on the integration of ICT in strategic sectors such as education, health, social protection, and public services, and has led missions focused on e-government, digital skills, and critical public digital infrastructure. His advisory work has supported the programming and operationalization of digital investments, with a strong emphasis on universal connectivity, affordable access to services, and the empowerment of communities through technology.

In addition to his advisory roles, Laurent has a rich entrepreneurial background, having founded and supported nearly ten start-ups and served as Chairman of the French Chamber of Commerce in Lithuania. He is also an experienced educator, lecturing at leading business schools in France and abroad on digital transformation, innovation management, information strategy, and entrepreneurship. His commitment to knowledge sharing extends to adult training programmes for public servants and start-up incubators, where he has trained over a thousand individuals in digital and organizational change management.

Laurent’s technical and managerial skills are complemented by his ability to engage with high-level stakeholders, including government ministers, ambassadors, and international partners. He is fluent in French and English, with professional proficiency in Lithuanian, and is recognized for his cross-cultural agility and collaborative approach. His career demonstrates a unique blend of academic rigor, practical leadership, and a deep commitment to advancing digital transformation for inclusive and sustainable development.