Mamoudou Nagnalen Barry is a leading figure in the political and economic landscape of Guinea. This committed activist and recognised financial expert played a key role in the FNDC citizens' movement, strongly opposing former President Alpha Condé's third term project. Holders of many prestigious degrees, including a Ph.D.
Nagnalen Barry gained extensive professional experience with national and international institutions before being appointed Minister of Agriculture and Livestock in October 2021. Although briefly in government, this multi-hat man - activist, author, and financial development specialist - remains an influential voice, determined to work for a better future in Guinea.
Introduction
Mamoudou Nagnalen Barry is a Guinean activist and politician who played a key role in the fight against the third term of former President Alpha Condé. His impressive academic and professional career makes him a respected figure in the economic and political circles. Since October 2021, he has held the post of Minister of Agriculture and Livestock in the government of Guinea.
Education
Mamoudou Nagnalen Barry had a solid academic background, starting with his pre-university studies at the Morifindjan Diabaté High School in Kankan. He then joined the General Lansana Conté University (UGLC), where he graduated with a major in economics and finance.
Continuing education
In 2013, with a scholarship from the Japanese government and Bretton Woods institutions, Nagnalen Barry obtained a postgraduate degree from the Center for Economic Development at Williams College, Massachusetts (United States). He currently holds a PhD in Business Administration at the Académie des Sciences de Management in Paris (ASMP) in partnership with the BEM Management School in Dakar, and a Master in Financial Strategy and a Bachelor of Laws degree. In addition, he has validated the in-depth accounting and tax law courses of the Accounting Expertise course at INTEC Paris.
Professional career
Before entering politics, Mamoudou Nagnalen Barry gained extensive professional experience in various fields, working for national and international institutions, public and private, in Africa and Southeast Asia.
Consultant and expert
Nagnalen Barry was a consultant for the International Financial Corporation (IFC) in Conakry and a national investment expert for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), funded by the African Development Bank. It provided technical assistance to the Agency for the Promotion of Private Investment in Guinea (APIP-Guinea). Previously, he worked at the Central Bank of the Republic of Guinea (BCRG) as a banking supervisor and inspector.
Prior to his appointment to the government, Nagnalen Barry was a financial development specialist at the World Bank in Washington.
Activist
In addition to his professional career, Mamoudou Nagnalen Barry engaged in political activism as a leading technical and strategic advisor to the FNDC Movement (National Front for the Defence of the Constitution). This citizen movement strongly opposed the project for a third term for former President Alpha Condé.
International recognition
In 2015, Nagnalen Barry was awarded the Mandela Washington Fellowship, a program initiated by President Barack Obama for young African leaders. This distinction was awarded to him by the White House and the United States Embassy in Guinea, in recognition of his citizenship commitment.
Nagnalen Barry is also co-founder of the NGO "Organization for Positive Change", which promotes sustainable development and good governance in Guinea.
Minister
On 29 October 2021, Mamoudou Nagnalen Barry was appointed Minister of Agriculture and Livestock in the Mohamed Beavogui government. He retained this portfolio when Bernard Goumou assumed the head of government on August 20, 2022.
However, on February 19, 2024, the government of Bernard Goumou, of which Nagnalen Barry was a member, was dissolved by the National Committee of the Assembly for Development. (CNRD).
Publications
In addition to his professional and political activities, Mamoudou Nagnalen Barry is also the author of two novels published in Harmattan Guinea:
- "L'école des pauvres et des riches" (2016)
- "L'odeur de l'argent" (2020)
Private life
On a personal level, Mamoudou Nagnalen Barry is the younger brother of former sports minister Siaka Barry.
Conclusion
In short, Mamoudou Nagnalen Barry is a man with many facets: a committed activist, a recognized economic and financial expert, an author and an influential politician. His career illustrates his determination to work for the development of Guinea, both economically and politically.
Nagnalen Barry managed to combine his technical expertise with his citizen activism, becoming one of the iconic figures in the struggle against Alpha Condé's third term. His appointment as Minister of Agriculture and Livestock proves the confidence placed in him by the current Guinean authorities.
Although his passage to government was brief, Mamoudou Nagnalen Barry's commitment and vision for a better future for Guinea remained intact. There is no doubt that his inspiring journey will continue to positively influence the country’s political and economic landscape.
