Kalilou Sylla Appointed ECOWAS Agriculture Commissioner

News in Brief:

-Dr Kalilou Sylla has been appointed ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, bringing decades of experience in trade, policy, and agricultural development.

-His appointment signals renewed focus on regional food security, economic integration, and agricultural transformation across West Africa.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has welcomed Dr Kalilou Sylla as its new Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, following his swearing-in on Thursday, October 9, 2025, in Abuja, Nigeria. The ceremony, presided over by the President of the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice, Hon. Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves, took place during an extraordinary session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers.

Dr Sylla succeeds Ms Massandjé Touré-Litsé and will serve until July 2026. His appointment comes at a crucial time as ECOWAS intensifies efforts to drive regional food security, economic resilience, and sustainable agricultural development across West Africa.

A Seasoned Economist with Agricultural Expertise

Holding a doctorate in economics, Sylla has built a robust career spanning economic and monetary policy, integration programmes, strategic planning, and agricultural policy development. Before his new appointment, he served as Director-General of Foreign Trade at Ivory Coast's Ministry of Trade and Industry.

He has also worked extensively on agricultural value chain analysis, project financing, and regional economic cooperation experience that will be instrumental in advancing ECOWAS’s agricultural transformation agenda.

Advancing Integration and Food Security in West Africa

His leadership is expected to play a pivotal role in deepening regional economic integration, promoting agricultural innovation, and improving intra-African trade in food commodities. His expertise aligns with ECOWAS’s long-term goal of achieving self-sufficiency in food production, reducing post-harvest losses, and enhancing resilience against climate and market shocks.

By combining economic foresight with agricultural insight, his tenure is expected to bolster collaboration among member states, development partners, and the private sector to achieve a more food-secure and prosperous West Africa.