H.E. Ambassador Zelma Yollande Nobre Fassinou
Career in figures
- 25+ ans de carrière diplomatique
- +4 continents d'expérience
- 1ère Représentante de la CEDEAO au Sénégal
Une diplomate au service de l'intégration
H.E. Ms Zelma Yollande Nobre Fassinou is the first ECOWAS Resident Representative in Senegal, in office since January 2024. A Beninese career diplomat, she has more than twenty-five years of experience in international relations, multilateral diplomacy and cooperation.
She holds a professional Master’s degree in Diplomacy and International Relations from the National School of Administration and Magistracy of the National University of Benin, and has completed advanced programmes abroad, notably at the Hague Academy of International Law in the Netherlands, at Peking University in International Law and Diplomatic Practice, and at the University of Pretoria in South Africa, where she specialised in mediation.
Un parcours d'excellence au service de la diplomatie
H.E. Ms Zelma Yollande Nobre Fassinou began her diplomatic career in 2000 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Benin, where she held successive positions of responsibility in the Consular Affairs Department and then the Europe Department.
Her international career began in 2009 at the Embassy of Benin in Addis Ababa as First Secretary in charge of Economic Affairs. Between 2010 and 2016, she was actively involved in humanitarian work for children in South Africa and Zambia.
From 2017 to 2019, she represented Benin at the United Nations in New York as Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative, coordinating activities across the six main committees of the General Assembly.
Back at the Ministry in 2019, she served successively as Director for the Americas and then Director for Asia and Oceania until 2024.
In January 2024, she was appointed the first ECOWAS Resident Representative in Senegal, a historic step in strengthening the Community’s presence in the sub-region.
Une formation d'excellence aux standards internationaux
A 1998 graduate of the National School of Administration of the National University of Benin (Diplomacy and International Relations), H.E. Ms Nobre Fassinou holds a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Law, obtained in 1998 and 2000 respectively from the Faculty of Law and Political Science of the National University of Benin, as well as a professional Master’s degree in Diplomacy and International Relations obtained in 2008 from the same institution.
Committed to deepening her expertise, she has completed specialised programmes at leading international institutions: a Certificate in International Law from the Hague Academy of International Law in the Netherlands in 2003, a Diploma in International Law and Diplomatic Practice from Peking University in China in 2009, and a Diploma in Mediation from the University of Pretoria in South Africa in 2013.
This solid academic background, combining law, diplomacy and mediation, underpins her recognised expertise in international relations and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
Proximity and accessibility for citizens
Partnership with Senegalese institutions
Promoting youth and excellence
Outreach and influence diplomacy
“Serving a united and prosperous West Africa.”
Dear Citizens of the ECOWAS region,
It is with a deep sense of honour and responsibility that I take up the role of ECOWAS Resident Representative in Senegal, the first of its kind in our Community.
With more than twenty-five years of experience in multilateral diplomacy, I have had the privilege of serving in the highest international forums, from the United Nations in New York to the African Union in Addis Ababa. Wherever I have served, one conviction has always guided me: regional integration is not a slogan, it is a vital necessity for the development and prosperity of our peoples.
ECOWAS is not just an international organisation. It is your organisation. It is the common home that makes you, citizens of Senegal, Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire and all our Member States, one single family of more than 400 million people.
My mission here in Senegal is simple but demanding: to bring ECOWAS closer to you. To ensure that you can move freely, do business without barriers, access scholarship and job opportunities, and benefit concretely from the fruits of regional integration.
The ECOWAS Resident Representation in Senegal is your gateway to the Community area. We are here to listen, here to serve, and firmly committed to making the vision of our founding fathers a tangible reality in your daily lives.
Together, let us build a united, prosperous and supportive West Africa.
“Connecting people and driving West African integration from Senegal.”
Renforcer la Synergie Institutionnelle et de la Gouvernance
Optimise coordination and maintain a smooth dialogue between Senegal, the ECOWAS agencies and strategic partners.
Engagement Humanitaire : Solidarité et Résilience Communautaire
Coordinate emergency responses and actively support vulnerable populations in times of crisis.
Promotion de la Paix, de la Sécurité et de la Stabilité Régionale
Deploy preventive diplomacy and consolidate the rule of law to counter security threats.
“True to the vision of regional integration at the service of the people, the Representation turns ECOWAS values into tangible action for the benefit of the most vulnerable communities.”
Visite de courtoisie à la SEN-CSU de Saint-Louis (8 octobre 2025)
- Identification of the logistical and strategic challenges of universal health coverage in the Saint-Louis region
- Strengthening the link between ECOWAS and Senegalese institutions for social health protection
- Opening a cooperation framework to support the SEN-CSU vision for 2035
Lancement des activités de promotion de la santé mentale à l'UGB (9-10 octobre 2025)
- Raising awareness of mental health issues among the Saint-Louis university community
- Strengthening synergies between academics and mental health professionals
- Contribution to World Mental Health Day (10 October)
Remise d'équipements de prise en charge de la santé mentale (12 novembre 2025)
- Provision of specialised equipment to the UGB Mental Health Unit
- Support for training neighbourhood mentors in community psycho-educational support
- Funding of awareness brochures for the public
Soutien à la vulgarisation de la CSU de Saint-Louis (13 novembre 2025)
- Support for strengthening the field communication of the Senegalese UHC Agency
- Contribution to the digitalisation of health information systems
- Promotion of equity, inclusion and social justice in health coverage
Session de travail à l'INEFJA (28 novembre 2025)
- Needs assessment of the National Institute for Young Blind People of Senegal (160 residents)
- Identification of priority areas of intervention as part of the ECOWAS 50th anniversary
- Commitment of the Representation to the education of people with visual impairments
Remise de matériels pédagogiques à l'INEFJA (13 février 2026)
- Improved learning conditions for the institute’s 160 residents
- Contribution to addressing the lack of school and food resources
- Greater ECOWAS outreach to vulnerable populations in the region
The Representative's latest activities
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