Léopold Gnininvi

Léopold Messan Kokou Gnininvi (born December 19, 1942) is a Togolese politician and the Secretary-General of the Democratic Convention of African Peoples (CDPA). A long-time opposition leader in Togo, he served in the government as Minister of State for Mines and Energy from 2006 to 2007, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration from 2007 to 2008, and Minister of State for Industry, Crafts, and Technological Innovations from 2008 to 2009.

Life and career

Gnininvi was born in Aného, Lacs Prefecture. He is a Doctor of Physics and Mathematics, having received his doctorat d'Etat from the University of Dijon in France in 1977. He became a full professor in 1981. From 1978 to 1993, he was the head of the solar energy laboratory at the University of Lomé. He was Director of the National Institute of Educational Science from 1979 to 1988 and National Director of Scientific Research from 1987 to 1993. He retired from teaching at the University of Lomé in 1997.