Since September 1, 2026, Dehpue Yenpea Zuo has served as Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for the 2026–2030 mandate. A dynamic economist, development planner, negotiator, and project leader, he brings more than 18 years of professional experience in macroeconomic policy, international development cooperation, resource mobilization, and strategic planning.

As Deputy Minister for Economic Management at Liberia’s Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, he oversaw macroeconomic reforms, debt restructuring, and the design of national development strategies. He coordinated Liberia’s accession to the IMF Extended Credit Facility (ECF) and the successful completion of its reviews, supervised the eligibility process for the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF), and directed the development of Liberia’s Macro-Framework Foundation Tool (MFT) for real-time economic forecasting. He also led the preparation of Liberia’s National Development Plan (AAID 2025–2029) and strengthened aid coordination platforms to improve transparency and efficiency in donor-funded projects.

Zuo previously served as Deputy Minister for International Cooperation (2016–2018) and Assistant Minister for Economic Cooperation (2014–2016) at Liberia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In these roles, he managed bilateral and multilateral partnerships, coordinated ECOWAS and AU engagements, and facilitated international agreements in trade, investment, and development. He also played a pivotal role in Liberia’s ratification of ECOWAS instruments and coordinated the country’s participation in the 51st ECOWAS Summit of Heads of State and Government.

Earlier in his career, Zuo worked as a Macroeconomist and Policy Analyst (2008–2014) with the Liberia Macroeconomic Policy Analysis Capacity-Building Project (LIMPAC), where he trained budget officers and policy analysts, conducted macroeconomic research, and contributed to the African Capacity Indicators Report (ACIR). He later served as Executive Director and Consultant (2018–2024), advising on national strategies such as Liberia’s Poverty Reduction and Development Plan (PAPD 2018–2023), climate change financing frameworks, and the implementation strategy for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Zuo holds a Master’s in Applied Economics (2022), a Master’s in Economic Development (2007), a Master’s in Community Development (2005), and a Bachelor’s in Economics (2001). He has also lectured part-time in economics at the University of Liberia and AME University, teaching development economics, principles of economics, and land-use planning.

His core competencies include economic research and analysis, project design and management, macroeconomic policy formulation, international negotiations, resource mobilization, and climate change integration. He is proficient in English and skilled in statistical tools including Excel, STATA, Minitab, and R.

Across government, academia, and international cooperation, Dehpue Yenpea Zuo has demonstrated a sustained capacity to drive reforms, negotiate complex agreements, and strengthen institutional frameworks. His appointment as ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture reflects his standing as a respected economist and policymaker, as well as his commitment to advancing regional integration, agricultural transformation, and sustainable economic growth in West Africa.