Online Reporter
Chronicle Reporter
THE World Bank Group has appointed Mr Firas Raad as the new division director responsible for Zimbabwe, for Tanzania, Malawi, and Zambia effective May 1, 2026.
Mr Raad, a Jordanian national, has nearly 30 years of experience as a development and health policy professional, having worked for the World Bank Group, the United Nations, and with the Jordanian government, said the group in a media statement shared Monday.
Recently, Mr Raad served as the World Bank country manager for Malawi and his previous positions included serving as a country manager for South Sudan, Malaysia, and Kuwait.
He also served as head of mission for the Office of the Quartet Representative in East Jerusalem – while on secondment from the World Bank – and as a human development coordinator for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and senior health specialist in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
“Mr Raad will be based in Dar es Salaam, where he will oversee a bank-supported portfolio of $14.1 billion across the four countries, with investments spanning infrastructure, human capital, private sector development, climate, and gender,” said the WB Group.
“He holds a doctorate and master’s degree in international health policy and economics from the Harvard School of Public Health, a master’s degree in international relations (with a focus on macro-economics and middle eastern studies) from the School of Advanced
International Studies (SAIS) and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Johns Hopkins University. He speaks Arabic and English.”
Mr Raad replaces Nathan Belete, who has been appointed Regional Programs Director for Africa.
The World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA), established in 1960, helps the world’s low-income countries by providing grants and low to zero-interest loans for projects and programs that boost economic growth, reduce poverty, and improve people’s lives.
IDA is one of the largest sources of assistance for its 75 client countries, 39 of which are in Africa. Since 1960, IDA has provided $552 billion to 115 countries.
Annual commitments have averaged about $36 billion over the last three years (FY21-FY23), with about 75 percent going to Africa.
