Abuja: Dr Kalilou Sylla from Ivory Coast has been inaugurated as the new ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture. He was sworn in by Justice Ricardo Gon§alves, the President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, during the Extraordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers.

According to News Agency of Nigeria, Sylla replaces Mrs Massandj© Tour©-Lits©, who has been recalled to her country for other national assignments. The new commissioner, who holds a Doctorate in Economics and has held several senior positions in Ivory Coast, will serve until July 2026. Prior to his appointment, he was the Director-General of Foreign Trade in the country’s Ministry of Trade and Industry.

Sylla’s citation, presented during his inauguration, highlighted his expertise in economic and monetary policy, integration programmes and projects, and strategic planning. It also noted his proficiency in agricultural policy and development project management, marketing and analysis of agricultural value chains, and coordination of research and economic analysis.

His skills extend to project financing in agriculture, industry, and trade across public and private sectors, as well as civil society at both national and regional levels. Additionally, he is knowledgeable in economic integration and governance, with scientific publications on regional integration, economics, and agriculture.