Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), announced on April 3,2026, the appointment of Mr Zeine Zeidane as the next Director of the African Department (AFR).
Mr Zeidane, a Mauritanian national with a distinguished career in both international finance and national governance, is set to succeed Abebe Aemro Selassie, who will retire from the Fund on May 1,2026.
A proven track record in global policy
With over two decades of experience, Mr Zeidane is a veteran of macroeconomic policymaking. Prior to this appointment, he served as the Deputy Director in the Middle East and Central Asia Department (MCD). During his tenure there, he was instrumental in:
- Overseeing IMF engagement with major Gulf economies.
- Deepening strategic regional partnerships.
- Establishing the IMF Regional Office in Riyadh in 2024.
His return to the African Department is a homecoming of sorts. He previously served as an AFR Deputy Director, where he managed complex regional engagements and spearheaded reforms for concessional lending and the Catastrophe Containment and Relief Trust (CCRT) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Leadership and academic excellence
Before joining the IMF in 2012, Mr Zeidane held several high-ranking positions in his home country of Mauritania, including:
- Prime Minister
- Governor of the Central Bank
- Economic Advisor to the President
His professional background is bolstered by an elite academic foundation. He holds a PhD in Applied Mathematics and a postgraduate degree in Macroeconomics from the University of Nice.
The road ahead
Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva praised Zeidane's “calm and measured approach,” noting that his deep institutional knowledge and sound judgement are vital as the department addresses the growing demands of sub-Saharan Africa.
“Zeine will bring… strong policymaking experience to the department as it continues to respond to sub-Saharan Africa's growing demands for tailored policy advice, financing, and capacity development,” said Georgieva.
As he takes the helm in May, Mr Zeidane will be tasked with advancing the IMF's mandate across the continent, focusing on sustainable growth and economic stability during a period of significant global transition.