• Kossi Ténou succeeds Badanam Patoki as president of the AMF-UMOA.
• Ténou brings over 20 years of experience in the West African financial system, including a role as BCEAO National Director.
• His appointment comes as the union seeks to deepen the regional market and strengthen investor protection.

The West African Monetary Union (UMOA) appointed Togolese economist and banker Kossi Ténou as president of the regional Financial Markets Authority (AMF-UMOA). The decision followed an extraordinary session of the Union’s Council of Ministers on 25 November. Ténou replaces fellow Togolese Badanam Patoki, who joined Togo’s government as minister of Economy and Strategic Foresight.

Ténou recently served as minister-delegate for Trade and Quality Control in Togo. His appointment marks a return to regional financial regulation after a long career at the BCEAO.

Ténou has accumulated more than two decades of experience across the West African financial sector. He served for several years as the BCEAO’s National Director for Togo before becoming, in late 2023, adviser to the central bank’s governor, Jean-Claude Kassi Brou. His profile spans banking supervision, monetary management and economic policy monitoring.

His mandate begins as AMF-UMOA members seek to mobilize more capital through the regional market. Authorities aim to expand market depth, promote financial innovation, strengthen investor-protection frameworks and improve coordination among national regulators.

States also expect the regulator to help boost bond issuance and consolidate long-term financing mechanisms, which remain critical for infrastructure development and corporate growth.

The AMF-UMOA oversees the integrity, transparency and modernization of the regional financial market. The market has become a key tool for financing public infrastructure, supporting sovereign bond issuance and enabling private-sector development.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi