World Bank names Firas Raad new division director for four southern African countries

The World Bank Group has appointed development specialist Firas Raad as its new Division Director for Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe, effective May 1, the Bank said on Tuesday.

Raad, a Jordanian national, previously served as the World Bank’s Country Manager for Malawi and has nearly 30 years of experience in development and health policy roles with the Bank, the United Nations and the Jordanian government.

The Bank said in a statement that Raad will be based in Dar es Salaam, where he will oversee a US$14.1 billion portfolio across the four countries, covering infrastructure, human capital, private sector development, climate and gender programmes.

Raad has also held positions as Country Manager for South Sudan, Malaysia and Kuwait, and earlier served as Head of Mission for the Office of the Quartet Representative in East Jerusalem while on secondment from the Bank.

Raad replaces Nathan Belete, who has been appointed Regional Programs Director for Africa.

The Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) – its fund for the poorest countries – has provided US$552 billion in concessional financing since 1960, with about 75 percent of commitments in recent years going to Africa.

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