Dr. Abu Bakarr Tarawalie, a Sierra Leonean economist, brings over fifteen years of professional experience in government, academia, policy research, and public sector management, with a focus on economic policy and regional integration at both national and international levels. He currently serves as the Deputy Secretary General for Economic Development and Regional Integration at the Mano River Union (MRU) Secretariat. Dr. Tarawalie holds a PhD in Economics, an MSc in Economics, and a BSc (Honours) in Economics. His extensive career includes a notable tenure at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), where he worked in the African Department, specifically with the Central African Republic and Ethiopia constituencies. His contributions to regional economic development were further solidified during his time as the Director of Research and Statistics at the West African Monetary Institute (WAMI) in Accra, Ghana. At WAMI, Dr. Tarawalie played a pivotal role in advancing regional integration programs for the West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ), which includes Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone. He was a member of WAMI's Management Board, overseeing the coordination and supervision of the organization’s activities. As the mission chief to Sierra Leone during his time at WAMI, Dr. Tarawalie successfully conducted ten missions, engaging in high-level discussions with officials from the Ministry of Finance, the Bank of Sierra Leone, and the National Revenue Authority, leading to significant positive impacts on Sierra Leone's economy. He also served as the Managing Editor of the West African Journal of Monetary and Economic Integration (WAJMEI), a peer-reviewed journal that is published biannually. In Sierra Leone, Dr. Tarawalie held the position of Assistant Director at the Economic Policy Research Unit (EPRU) within the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MoFED). His experience also includes roles as a Statistician at Statistics Sierra Leone, where he was a regional coordinator for the 2004 population and housing census, and the Sierra Leone Integrated Household Survey. His academic contributions include positions as a Lecturer at the Department of Economics, Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, and as an external examiner for the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program at the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM), University of Sierra Leone. Dr. Tarawalie is a prolific researcher with a demonstrated track record in monetary economics, public finance, international economics, and macroeconomic issues. He has published over 35 articles and occasional papers in reputable journals worldwide. His dedication to economic research and education is further evidenced by his role as the Deputy Editor for the Economic Association of Sierra Leone. Dr. Tarawalie’s extensive experience and scholarly contributions have positioned him as a key figure in driving economic development and regional integration within the Mano River Union, making significant strides toward the economic stability and integration of the region.