Mariama Cire Sylla

She began her career in the financial sector, working for BRED Banque populaire in France and KPMG in Guinea, and held various commercial management positions at companies such as Maersk Line in Guinea and Safmarine in Belgium.^[2]

Sylla joined the World Bank Group in 2014 and led programs to improve the business environment and develop local enterprises, as well as digitization, financing for local businesses and SMEs, reforms to unlock investment in the mining and agri-food sectors, support for women and young entrepreneurs in sub-Saharan Africa, and business development in the Middle East. She also oversaw World Bank and International Finance Corporation operations in Guinea and West Africa. She later served as the World Bank Group's resident representative in Namibia.^[1][2]

She also worked for the IFC as a representative in Burundi, for Fragile and Conflict-Affected States in the Sahel and West Africa regions, and as a member of the IFC's market creation advisory team.^[1][2]

On 29 July 2025 she was named Minister of Agriculture, succeeding Felix Lamah [fr].^[3] In October 2025 participated in the World Bank's strategic meeting on the revival and modernisation of the agricultural sector in Guinea.^[4]

On 2 February 2026 Sylla was appointed Minister of Economy, Finance and Budget, succeeding Mourana Soumah [fr].^[2][3]

• Better Led, Served and Governed World – Envisioning the Future (co-author, 2014)^[1]