Abdou Kolley

Abdou Kolley (born 1 January 1970) is a Gambian economist and politician who was Gambian Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs. He has held several roles in the Cabinet of the Gambia, having previously served as Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs and Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment several times, as well as Minister of Fisheries and Water Resources.

Early life and education

Kolley attended both St. Peter's Lower and Upper Basic School, Lamin, and St. Augustine's Senior Secondary School, Banjul, where he received his O Levels and A Levels respectively.

Career

From 1997 to 2000, Kolley worked in the Gambian civil service as an economist at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs. During his time at the Ministry, he coordinated Gambia through the initial stage of the World Bank's Capacity Building for Economic Management Project. He also contributed to the foundation of the Gambia Divestiture Agency and the Gambia Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA).

In March 2015, it was reported that Kolley was to succeed Seedy Lette as the Gambian Ambassador to South Africa. However, Kolley was re-appointed as Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs on 16 March, as the previous Minister, Kebba S. Touray, was moved to the diplomatic service.

Awards

Kolley was invested as an Officer of the National Order of the Republic of the Gambia (ORD) by Yahya Jammeh. He is also a Distinguished Fellow of the New Westminster College in British Columbia, Canada.