Firas Raad is appointed Division Director for Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe, replacing Nathan Belete. He will be based in Dar es Salaam.
World Bank leadership has named Firas Raad to oversee key development work across four southern African countries, with Zimbabwe included in the portfolio.
Raad has been appointed Division Director for Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe, effective May 1, succeeding Nathan Belete. Belete is set to move to a new role as Regional Programs Director for Africa.
In this context, Zimbabwe’s push to reduce external debt remains a central backdrop. Misryoum understands that efforts include addressing amounts owed to the World Bank, which has been referenced in connection with the wider process of clearing obligations.
Raad, a Jordanian national, is expected to bring nearly 30 years of experience in development and health policy, with work spanning the World Bank Group, the United Nations and the Jordanian government.
The appointment follows a career that includes serving most recently as World Bank country manager for Malawi. Misryoum also reports that Raad previously held similar positions in places including South Sudan, Malaysia and Kuwait.
One notable part of his background includes secondment-linked work as Head of Mission for the Office of the Quartet Representative in East Jerusalem.. He has also been involved in human development coordination for Gulf Cooperation Council countries and served as a senior health specialist in the Middle East and North Africa region.
Raad will be based in Dar es Salaam and is tasked with supervising a portfolio valued at US$14.1 billion across the four countries. That work covers infrastructure, human capital, private sector development, climate programmes and gender-focused initiatives.
His academic credentials include a doctorate and a master’s degree in international health policy and economics from the Harvard School of Public Health, along with a master’s degree in international relations from the School of Advanced International Studies and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Johns Hopkins University.
This change matters because dividing leadership across countries can shape how quickly programmes align with national priorities, including debt-related and social-sector goals.
As Raad takes up the post, Misryoum will be watching how the new division direction translates into practical support for Zimbabwe and its regional partners.