Marcel de Souza

Marcel Alain de Souza (30 October 1953 – 17 July 2019) was a Beninese politician and banker. He served as President of the ECOWAS Commission from April 2016 until February 2018. He was Minister for Development, Economic Analysis and Forecast of Benin from May 2011 until June 2015. Early life and career Marcel Alain de Souza was born on 30 October 1953 in Pobè. His family was originally of Portuguese descent and centred around Ouidah. He had 10 siblings. His younger sister, Chantal De Souza, a future first lady, later married Beninese President Thomas Boni Yayi, after having met through him. De Souza was a nephew of Archbishop Isidore de Souza. He obtained a master's degree in economics from the University of Dakar. De Souza later obtained a further master's degree in banking and management from the West African Training Centre for Banking Studies. He received further training at the International Monetary Fund. From the 1970s de Souza worked for the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) in Cotonou as internal controller and later as national director for Benin. He later became Director of Administration at the headquarters of the institute in Dakar. During his time at BCEAO de Souza was colleagues with later President Thomas Boni Yayi. Political career In 2009 de Souza became chairperson of the Republican Front of Benin. Administratively he held the position of Head of Department of Economic and Financial Affairs in the Office of the President. He later was Special Adviser to the President on Monetary and Banking Affairs. He was spokesperson for President Thomas Boni Yayi for the 2011 Beninese presidential election. From May 2011 until June 2015 he was Minister for Development, Economic Analysis and Forecast under him. De Souza was elected to the National Assembly during the 2015 Beninese parliamentary election.