Oath of Office: Dr. Kalilou Sylla Sworn In as ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture.
By Raymond Enoch
In a ceremony rich and full with symbolism and regional significance, Dr. Kalilou Sylla was officially sworn in today 9th October 2025 as the new Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture at the ECOWAS Commission headquarters in Abuja.
Presiding over the ceremony was Hon. Judge Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves, President of the Community Court of Justice, with the ECOWAS Council of Ministers in extraordinary session as witnesses. Dr. Sylla succeeds Ms. Massandjé Touré-Litsé and will serve in this key leadership role until July 2026.
A respected Ivorian economist, Dr. Sylla brings a formidable track record to the Commission. He holds a PhD in Agricultural Economics and has held multiple high-level positions in Côte d’Ivoire, most recently as Director General of Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Trade and Industry. His deep expertise spans economic and monetary policy, agricultural development, strategic planning, and project management.
In addition to public service, Dr. Sylla is well known for his work in project financing across agriculture, industry, and trade sectors, engaging both public and private actors, as well as civil society across West Africa. His contributions to economic governance and regional integration are reflected in numerous scientific publications.
Prior to his ECOWAS appointment, Dr. Sylla served as Executive Secretary of ROPPA, West Africa’s largest network of farmers’ organizations, where he championed rural livelihoods, food sovereignty, and inclusive development. His leadership helped elevate the voices of grassroots producers into regional policy platforms.
Throughout his career, Dr. Sylla has worked with UEMOA, ECOWAS, and NEPAD, demonstrating a rare ability to translate academic insight into policy innovation. His appointment is widely seen as a move to strengthen ECOWAS’s commitment to agricultural resilience, regional trade, and sustainable economic growth.
As Dr. Sylla assumes office, expectations are high that he will help navigate the region through pressing challenges such as food insecurity, youth unemployment, and climate threats, while unlocking the vast economic potential of West Africa.
