Francisca Tatchouop Belobe cis a prominent Equatorial Guinean politician, economist, and diplomat who currently serves as the Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry, and Minerals (ETTIM) at the African Union. Throughout her career, she has held high-level national and regional positions, establishing herself as a leading advocate for economic integration, mineral sovereignty, and women’s economic empowerment across Africa.
Early Life and Education
Born in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, she pursued higher education in Germany. She studied Political and Economic Development at the Wolfgang Goethe University in Frankfurt, graduating in 2001.
National Political Career
Belobe is a member of the Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea (PDGE) and has occupied several key technical and political roles within her home country:
- Government Minister: She served as the Deputy Minister and subsequently the Minister of Economy, Trade, and Promotion of Small to Medium Enterprises (2009–2011).
- Parliamentary Leadership: She served as the Second Vice-President of the National Assembly (Chamber of Deputies) from 2013 to 2017.
Regional and International Leadership
Belobe transitioned into continental diplomacy with a focus on regional economic development:
- ECCAS Commission: In September 2020, she was appointed as the first female Vice-President of the Commission of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS). During her tenure, she championed policies aimed at boosting regional productivity and leveraging women’s empowerment to drive prosperity.
- African Union Commission: She was elected to lead the African Union’s ETTIM department, succeeding Albert M. Muchanga. In this role, her portfolio spans economic policy, regional integration, private sector development, and resource mobilization. She has notably advocated for African mineral sovereignty, industrial value addition, and reviving foundational continental initiatives such as the African Monetary Fund.