International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva on Friday announced her intention to appoint Zine Zidan as Director of the African Department (AFR). Zidane Abebe will replace Amro Selassie, who will retire from the fund on May 1, 2026.
“I have informed the Executive Board of my intention to appoint Zine Zidane as Director of the African Department,” Georgieva said. “Zine will bring deep institutional knowledge, sound judgment and 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.”
A citizen of Mauritania, Zidane has more than two decades of experience in macroeconomic policymaking and international economic cooperation. He currently serves as Deputy Director in the Middle East and Central Asia Department (MCD), overseeing the Fund's engagement with key economies in the Gulf region and helping deepen strategic partnerships with key regional partners, including the establishment of an IMF regional office in Riyadh in 2024.
Also read: Halter creates agritech device that prevents livestock from wandering without physical fencing
Prior to his current role, Zidane served as Deputy Director at AFR, where he was closely involved in some of the largest and most complex activities in the region. She also played a central role in shaping Fund policies to better meet the needs of sub-Saharan Africa, particularly through concessional lending policies and reforms to the Disaster Prevention and Relief Trust (CCRT) during the pandemic. Building on his ability to link country experience with institutional priorities, Zidane previously led work on the 2018 Governance Policy during his time at the Department of Strategy, Policy and Review (SPR).
Before joining the IMF in 2012, Zidane held several of the most senior economic policymaking positions in Mauritania, including serving as Prime Minister, Governor of the Central Bank, and Economic Advisor to the President. This experience was complemented by roles in the World Bank and the commercial banking sector, giving him a holistic perspective on policy design, implementation and engagement with international partners.
Georgieva said, “Zinn's calm and measured approach has proven particularly effective in dealing with difficult and sensitive challenges.” “I am confident he will successfully lead AFR with a sense of shared purpose in advancing its mandate and serving our membership.”
Zidane has a PhD in Applied Mathematics and a Master's degree in Macroeconomics from the University of Nice.