The World Bank Group has appointed Firas Raad as Division Director for Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe, effective May 1.
Raad replaces Nathan Belete, who moves to the post of Regional Programs Director for Africa.
The appointment comes as Zimbabwe intensifies efforts to clear its external debt, including US$1.61 billion owed to the World Bank.
In a statement, the institution said Raad, a Jordanian national, brings nearly 30 years’ experience in development and health policy, with roles spanning the World Bank Group, the United Nations and the Jordanian government.
He most recently served as World Bank country manager for Malawi and has previously held similar roles in South Sudan, Malaysia and Kuwait.
Raad has also worked as Head of Mission for the Office of the Quartet Representative in East Jerusalem on secondment from the Bank, as well as Human Development Coordinator for Gulf Cooperation Council countries and Senior Health Specialist in the Middle East and North Africa region.
He will be based in Dar es Salaam, overseeing a US$14.1 billion portfolio across the four countries, covering infrastructure, human capital, private sector development, climate and gender programmes.
Raad holds a doctorate and master’s degree in international health policy and economics from the Harvard School of Public Health, a master’s in international relations from the School of Advanced International Studies, and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Johns Hopkins University.
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