Reading a French business card: PDG, DG, PCA and who signs
By Victor Tseng 曾浩瑜2 min
At a meeting in Côte d'Ivoire, the business cards you receive often carry a row of acronyms: PCA, DG, DAF… Treat them all as "manager" and you may end up negotiating, or signing, with the wrong person.
Côte d'Ivoire is a member of OHADA, the organisation that harmonises business law across much of francophone Africa. Its company law follows OHADA's Uniform Act, so the titles look much like France's, with some local habits.
The titles at a glance
| Acronym | Full French title | Closest English | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCA | Président du conseil d'administration | Chair of the board | Chairs the board; may not run daily operations |
| DG | Directeur général | Managing director / CEO | Runs the business, reports to the board |
| PDG | Président-directeur général | Chair & CEO | When one person holds both PCA and DG roles |
| DGA | Directeur général adjoint | Deputy MD | Powers depend on what the company delegates |
| DAF | Directeur administratif et financier | CFO / Head of admin & finance | Budgets and payment terms often go through them |
| DRH | Directeur des ressources humaines | HR director | Hiring and expatriate staff |
| DC | Directeur commercial | Sales / commercial director | Often your first point of contact |
| Gérant | Gérant (of a SARL) | Managing partner | The legal manager of a SARL (limited liability company) |
Three practical tips
1. Before signing, confirm who represents the company. A title on a card is not signing authority. For an important contract, politely ask for the company's registration extract (RCCM), which names its legal representatives.
2. The PCA and the DG may be two people. Board-run companies often separate the roles. Meet both if you can; if you meet only one, know who the other is.
3. In writing, address the title, not the name. Formal letters often open with Monsieur le Directeur Général or Madame la Directrice.
One line for Asian teams
Translating a title correctly is respect; knowing who really decides is efficiency. Get both right and your first meeting is half won.
References: OHADA Uniform Act on commercial companies (rules on PCA, DG and PDG); French company law on DG, DGA and DGD. Actual powers depend on each company's articles and registration.
Motif: Akan goldweight motif
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