LONDON, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Ivory Coast's former budget

minister, Abdourahmane Cisse, is joining Lazard's ( LAZ ) sovereign

advisory practice, the firm said on Thursday.

A former Goldman Sachs banker, 43-year old Cisse has held a

number of ministerial and top government roles since 2013 in

French-speaking West Africa's largest economy, overseeing budget

and energy portfolios and serving as secretary general of the

presidency under President Alassane Ouattara.

Lazard ( LAZ ) is a prominent player in sovereign advisory and debt

restructurings, and has advised governments of Ghana, Zambia and

Sri Lanka.

"His hire is a testament to our ever-growing commitment to

emerging countries, particularly in Africa," said Lazard's ( LAZ )

Jean-Louis Girodolle, CEO of Investment Banking France and

Co-Head of European Investment Banking in a statement.