Ndongo Samba Sylla

Senegalese development economist, writer

Senegalese development economist and a leading contemporary critic of the CFA franc as a lingering colonial currency.

Affiliations: Rosa Luxemburg Foundation (West Africa office)

Ndongo Samba Sylla is a Senegalese economist who has become one of the best-known critics of the CFA franc, the currency France's former colonies in West and Central Africa still share. With co-author Fanny Pigeaud he wrote Africa's Last Colonial Currency: The CFA Franc Story, arguing the system keeps monetary policy tied to Paris and the euro and limits African economic sovereignty. He has worked as a researcher for the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation and previously advised the Senegalese presidency. His work is part of a wider debate; defenders of the CFA argue it delivers low inflation and stability, a claim he disputes.

Connections

associate of Francois-Xavier Verschave — Continues the strand of Francafrique critique focused on monetary control through the CFA franc.

In the timeline

2018 Economists call the CFA a colonial currency one of the economists making the argument