Executive Leadership
Mr. Mam Cherno JALLOW
Director General - Intergovernmental Action Group
Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA)
Mr Mam Cherno JALLOW is the new Director-General of the Intergovernmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA). He was appointed for a four-year term by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government during its 69th Ordinary session held on 19th July 2026 in Lungi, Sierra Leone.
Born on 10th July 1966 in Banjul, Republic of The Gambia, Mam Cherno JALLOW is a financial economist by training. He holds an MBA in Banking and Finance from the African Centre for Higher Studies in Management (CESAG) in Dakar, Senegal, specialising in financial markets and corporate finance; and a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Economics from the International Islamic University of Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. A trained expert in anti-money laundering, he has extensive experience in private sector development and has led, with an impeccable track record, institutions promoting the private sector at both national and regional levels. He has been active within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) ecosystem for sixteen (16) years and has in-depth knowledge of its institutions.
As an economist and financier, the Director-General of GIABA has over thirty-five (35) years’ experience in his country’s public and private sectors, in sub-regional institutions and in matters relating to private sector development.
From January 2024 until his appointment as head of GIABA, Mr JALLOW served as Ag. Director of Administration and Finance. Among his achievements, he was responsible for the administrative and financial oversight of GIABA and the ECOWAS Gender Development Centre for (EGDC).
Mr JALLOW joined GIABA in January 2022 as Head of Strategic Planning and Resource Mobilisation, a role he held until December 2023. In this role, he oversaw the development and implementation of GIABA’s strategic plan, in line with ECOWAS’s objectives and the institution’s mission as a Regional FATF-style body. He developed and maintained an up-to-date understanding of programmes and beneficiaries across the organisation and in all countries of operation.
Prior to joining GIABA, Mam Cherno JALLOW worked in the Office of the Vice-President of the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja (Nigeria). He served as Head of Strategic Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation from January 2019 to December 2021. In this capacity, he oversaw the coordination and development of the Community’s Strategic framework as well as the medium-term work programmes of ECOWAS institutions, Departments and Agencies.
From October 2015 to January 2019, Mr JALLOW served as Head of Cooperation with Emerging and Developed Markets at the ECOWAS Commission. In this role, he strengthened cooperation between ECOWAS and emerging economies such as the Republic of Turkey, China and the other BRICS countries.
From February 2010 to September 2015, Mr Mam Cherno JALLOW served as Director-General of the Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FEWACCI). To his credit is the revitalisation of FEWACCI, which has once again become a key partner in the region’s economic policy discussions.
Prior to his roles at the ECOWAS Commission and GIABA, Mam Cherno JALLOW held various positions at his country’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He led this institution as Executive Director for six years.
Married with children, Mam Cherno JALLOW is fully bilingual in English and French, has a good knowledge of Arabic and a working knowledge of Spanish.
In recognition of his contribution to the economic development of his country, The Gambia, Mam Cherno JALLOW was awarded the distinction of Member of the Order of the Republic of The Gambia (MRG) in 2010. This honour recognises his commitment and contribution to the economic development of The Gambia, as well as his professional career dedicated to the development of the public and private sectors and the institutions of his country and the West African sub-region.