Lionel brings a wealth of experience in agricultural development, regional coordination, and private-sector engagement. Prior to joining IITA, he served as AGRA's Regional Director for West Africa, overseeing activities in Ghana, Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, and, from 2023, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, and Togo. During his time at AGRA, Lionel contributed to several key initiatives, including establishing the Ghana Commodity Exchange, supporting regenerative agriculture in Nigeria, and providing technical support to governments for the Dakar II-AfDB Compact programs. Before AGRA, Lionel held roles at TechnoServe, Cargill, and the European Institute for Cooperation and Development, focusing on SME development, sustainable sourcing, and rural enterprise. Notably, he co-created the Doni Doni rural financing project in Côte d’Ivoire, recognized internationally for its innovation in agricultural logistics financing, and contributed to developing Ghana’s first digital cocoa company, linking over 15,000 farmers. Lionel holds degrees from the Houphouët Boigny Polytechnic Institute and Kellogg School of Management and remains actively involved in initiatives to improve healthcare access and medical education in Francophone West Africa.