AfDB hunts for country manager

Published: 07 September 2017

AFRICAN Development Bank (AfBD) is hunting for a country manager after Mateus Magala left the Zimbabwean mission two years ago to head Mozambique's energy development utility.

Well-placed sources at the regional lender's local office told The Financial Gazette that the post was yet to be filled.

Presently, officer-in-charge, Mary Monyau, is running the mission in the absence of a country manager.

"The post has been advertised, but at the moment, Mary is in charge. I am not aware if they will ever fill the post substantively. However, I understand that they are still looking," the source said.

Monyau could not be reached for a comment at her office.

Magala left Harare in August 2015 after Mozambique's government sacked the heads of its State energy company responsible for overseeing the development of huge offshore gas reserves.

He had joined the AfDB in 2010 and was appointed to Zimbabwe in October 2013 before his departure.

Other multilateral lenders recently appointed substantive heads, with the World Bank's new country manager, Rosemary Mukami Kariuki, beginning her three year term in the country last month, replacing Camille Nuamah.

The International Monetary Fund also recently presented new mission chief for Zimbabwe, Gene Leon, to the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Patrick Chinamasa.

The AfDB has supported Zimbabwe with aid and grants and is currently involved in efforts to clear the country's international debt arrears.

The bank recently launched three projects worth $26 million that were recently approved by the AfDB's board of directors.

The three ventures are Alaska Karoi Transmission Reinforcement Project ($18 million); the Youth and Women Empowerment Project ($4 million); and the Institutional Support for State Enterprise Reform and Delivery Project ($4 million).

- fingaz

Tags: AfDB,