Associate Researcher
CERSA-CNRS · Université Paris-Panthéon-Assas · Paris
Since Jan. 2026
Jonas Weko
Curriculum vitae
PhD in Political Science · Research & Policy Analyst
Public Governance and Political Economy of the CFA Franc Zone
Paris, Francejonasweko@hotmail.com+33 (0)6 58 86 22 07LinkedInExpertise and methods
Areas of expertise
- Public governance and public policy analysis (monetary and economic policies).
- Political economy of the CFA franc zone; monetary policy and regional integration in West Africa.
- Multi-stakeholder coordination and multicultural teamwork.
Methods and skills
- Mixed-methods design: quantitative (Excel, R) and qualitative research methods.
- Elite interviewing and archival research; comparative and longitudinal analysis.
- Editorial coordination and public communication.
Languages — French: native. English: professional working proficiency.
Professional experience
Since Nov. 2025
Founder & Principal Consultant — Economic Intelligence & Geopolitical Analysis
Jonas Weko Consulting International (JWC) · Freelance · Paris / West Africa
- Strategic monitoring: competitive, sectoral, regulatory and geopolitical intelligence, tracking market conditions and the political-security environment.
- Country risk and geopolitical analysis: recurring monthly political, economic and security monitoring, ad hoc country notes and risk assessments, situational updates, pre-travel briefings and forward-looking scenario planning on request.
- Sectoral analyses and stakeholder mapping for public- and private-sector clients operating in West Africa.
- Training and capacity-building: geopolitical risk workshops, economic intelligence and information protection awareness, and open-source (OSINT) research methods.
Sept. 2018 – Nov. 2025
Political Science & International Political Economy Researcher
Université Paris-Panthéon-Assas · CERSA-CNRS · Paris
- Comparative, longitudinal analysis (1959–2025) of monetary and economic reform trajectories across eight West African countries in the CFA franc zone, assessing institutional reforms, macroeconomic performance, governance and policy implementation.
- Mixed-methods framework: 30+ elite interviews (IMF, French Treasury, AFD, BCEAO, Banque de France), 6,000+ pages of archives, 10,000+ pages of institutional documents, multi-country datasets and longitudinal time-series analysis.
- On-site research at IMF headquarters, Washington, D.C. (April 2023); BCEAO, Dakar and Lomé (February 2020); WAEMU/UEMOA, Ouagadougou (January 2020).
- Mapping institutional configurations linking national governments, regional bodies (BCEAO, WAEMU/UEMOA, BOAD) and international organizations (IMF, World Bank, AFD); comparative assessments and reform recommendations.
Teaching experience
2026–2027
Adjunct Lecturer · 165 hours
Université Paris-Panthéon-Assas / ISIT
Courses taught
- Classics of Political Science — seminar (TD), Bachelor’s 2 in Political Science, semester 1.
- Public Policy — seminar (TD), Bachelor’s 2 in Political Science, semester 2.
- International Relations — seminar (TD), Bachelor’s 3 in Political Science, semester 2.
- Social Science Methodology — seminar (TD), Bachelor’s 1 in Political Science, semesters 1 and 2.
2021–2023
Temporary Lecturer & Research Assistant (ATER)
Université d’Artois
Courses taught
- Local Public Policy: Analysis and Issues — lecture course, Master’s 1.
- Contemporary Public Problems — lecture course, Master’s 1.
- Comparative Politics — lecture course, Bachelor’s 3.
- Political Sociology: The Field of Power — lecture course, Bachelor’s 2.
- International Relations — lecture course, Bachelor’s 1.
- Sociology of Electoral Behavior — seminar (TD), Bachelor’s 2.
- Introduction to Political Science — seminar (TD), Bachelor’s 1.
2018–2021
Doctoral Teaching Fellow
Université Paris-Panthéon-Assas
Courses taught
- Comparative Politics — seminar (TD), Master’s 1.
- Constitutional Law — seminar (TD), Bachelor’s 1.
Education
2018–2025
PhD in Political Science
Université Paris-Panthéon-Assas · CERSA-CNRS · Paris
Dissertation: The CFA Franc Monetary Regime since 1960: Genesis and Reform Trajectory under the Structuring Effect of the “Operations Account”, 885 p., supervised by Prof. Yves Surel. Defended November 2025; highest honors with unanimous congratulations of the jury.
Fields: Public Policy Analysis, International Political Economy, International Relations.
Jury: Bruno Palier (Chair), Nadine Machikou and David Stasavage (External Examiners), Sabine Saurugger, Cyril Benoît and Blandine Mesnel.
2017–2018
Research Master (M2), Political Studies · Distinction (Mention Bien)
Université Paris-Panthéon-Assas · Paris
Public Policy, Electoral Analysis, Comparative Political Regimes. Thesis: Democratic Transitions in Togo and Benin: Dynamics and Mimicry (17/20).
2016–2017
M1, Comparative Politics: Political Thought and Regimes · Distinction (Mention Bien)
Université de Bordeaux
2012–2015
LL.B. in Law & Political Science · Distinction (Mention Bien)
Université de Kara · Togo
Publications and communications
Full references and editorial links on the Publications page.
2026
Les Crises. Perspectives croisées entre droit et science politique
Julie Saniez & Jonas Weko (eds.) · Mare & Martin · 200 p.
2025
Le compte d’opérations, usages et légitimation dans la production d’un ordre monétaire postcolonial
Jonas Weko · Politique africaine · 2025/4, n° 180 · p. 41–63
2026
Legitimacy Crises of the Operations Account and the Crisis of Franco-African Cooperation
Les Crises · chapter 10 · p. 165–180
Selected conference papers and presentations
2024
The Failure of Real-Adjustment Policies in Franc-Zone African Countries (1980s–1990s)
Conference on Public (In)capacity · Université Paris-Panthéon-Assas & University of Yaoundé II · Yaoundé, Cameroon
2021
Contesting the International CFA Franc Regime: Historical Discontinuities and the Reconfiguration of Actors
Joint ABSP–CoSPoF Congress · Brussels
2021
The Depoliticization of Economic and Monetary Objects in Africa
International Conference · Cotonou, Benin
2019
Comparative Analysis of Health Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa: Political Regimes and Social Policy
AFSP Congress · Bordeaux
Certifications
- Introduction to Statistics with R — Université Paris-Saclay / France Université Numérique (FUN), certificate of successful completion, October 2026.
- Qualified for Maître de conférences (Associate Professor) positions — Conseil national des universités (CNU).
- Monitoring and Evaluation of a Development Project — Agence française de développement (AFD).
- Designing an Environmentally and Socially Responsible Development Project — AFD.
- MODEV 6 — Understanding and Convincing Funders — AFD.
Awards
- Laureate, Université Paris-Panthéon-Assas Doctoral Thesis Prize.
- Shortlisted, Paris Chancellery Solemn Thesis Prize, 2026.
- Shortlisted, GIS African Studies Thesis Prize, 2026.
Professional references
- Rémi Rioux — Director, Agence française de développement (AFD).
- Doha Lkasmi — Chief Executive Officer, ESL-Rivington Maroc (Groupe ADIT).
- David Stasavage — Carroll and Milton Petrie Professor, Department of Politics, New York University.