Idriss Nazaire Houssou

Senior Agriculture Economist and Task Team Leader at The World Bank

Cotonou, Littoral, Benin

About

Dr. Idrissou Nazaire Houssou holds a PhD in Agricultural Economics and has over twelve years of experience in agricultural and food policy in Sub-Saharan Africa. He has worked with the World Bank, USAID, and IFPRI, contributing to policy dialogue, project implementation, and research. Since 2019, he has been a Senior Agriculture Economist at the World Bank, leading the $310 million Agricultural Competitiveness and Export Diversification Project. Previously, he was an Economic Growth Specialist at USAID and a Research Fellow at IFPRI, publishing several articles on agricultural transformation. Dr. Houssou holds an MSc in Agricultural Economics from the University of Hohenheim and a degree of Ingénieur Agronome from the University of Abomey-Calavi. He has received awards such as the Hermann Eiselen-Science Prize and the Hans-Ruthenberg Prize for his academic achievements. His extensive background makes him a pivotal figure in Sub-Saharan Africa's agricultural development and policy reform.

Experience

  • The World Bank (7 yrs)
    • Senior Agriculture Economist
      Nov 2023 - Present · 2 yrs 8 mos

    • Agriculture Economist
      Jul 2019 - Nov 2023 · 4 yrs 5 mos

  • Economic Growth Specialist at United States Agency for International Development
    Apr 2018 - Jun 2019 · 1 yr 3 mos

    Economic Analysis of Agricultural Policy Issues, Policy Advocacy, Monitoring and Coordination of United States Government Economic Growth Projects in Benin.

  • International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) (5 yrs 6 mos)
    • Research Coordinator
      Apr 2015 - Jun 2017 · 2 yrs 3 mos

      Research, Communication, and Capacity Building on Agricultural Transformation Issues

    • Associate Research Fellow
      Jan 2012 - Mar 2015 · 3 yrs 3 mos

      Research, Communication, and Capacity Building on Agricultural Transformation Issues

  • Research Analyst at R. A. Malatest & Associates Ltd.
    Jul 2011 - Nov 2011 · 5 mos

    Program Evaluation & Market Research

  • Consultant at IRIS Center, University of Maryland, College Park
    Jul 2010 - Jul 2010 · 1 mo