Marcel de Souza

Marcel Alain de Souza (30 October 1953 – 17 July 2019) was a Beninese politician and banker. He served as President of the ECOWAS Commission from April 2016 until February 2018. He was Minister for Development, Economic Analysis and Forecast of Benin from May 2011 until June 2015.

Early life and career Marcel Alain de Souza was born on 30 October 1953 in Pobè. His family was originally of Portuguese descent and centred around Ouidah. He had 10 siblings. His younger sister, Chantal De Souza, a future first lady, later married Beninese President Thomas Boni Yayi, after having met through him. He obtained a master's degree in economics from the University of Dakar. De Souza later obtained a further master's degree in banking and management from the West African Training Centre for Banking Studies. He received further training at the International Monetary Fund.

On 17 December 2015, during the 48th Ordinary Session of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, the post of President of the ECOWAS Commission was allocated to Benin and de Souza was nominated. De Souza publicly disagreed with President Boni Yayi's decision to have Prime Minister Lionel Zinsou be the candidate for the Cowry Forces for an Emerging Benin during March 2016 Beninese presidential election.

He died of cardiac arrest on 17 July 2019 in Paris, France, aged 65.