## Abebe Aemro Selassie, Director of the African Department, IMF

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Abebe Aemro Selassie, Director of the African Department, IMF](https://www.imf.org/en/about/senior-officials/bios/abebe-selassie)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/en/about/senior-officials/bios/abebe-selassie/index.md)
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## Bibliographic details
- Published: October 7, 2024

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### Role and tenure
- Title: Director of the African Department
- Tenure as Director: September 2016 - May 2026
- Specific end date: Abebe Aemro Selassie was the Director of the African Department until May 1, 2026.

### Responsibilities and regional engagement
- Oversaw the IMF’s work with 45 countries across sub-Saharan Africa.
- Worked closely with the region’s leaders and policymakers to improve economic and development outcomes.
- Oversight included the IMF’s intensified engagement with the region in recent years, including some $60 billion in financial support the institution has provided to countries since 2020.

### Career history at the IMF
- Joined the IMF in 1994.
- Held various senior positions, including:
  - Deputy Director in the African Department.
  - Mission Chief for Portugal during the Euro Area Crisis.
  - Mission Chief for South Africa.
  - Senior Resident Representative in Uganda.
- Worked earlier on the Fund’s lending programs with Turkey, Thailand, Romania and Estonia.
- Served in the Strategy, Policy and Review Department and was deeply involved in IMF program and adjustment policy design issues.

### Prior experience and education
- Worked for the Government of Ethiopia as Principal Economist in the Office of the President.
- Worked at the Economist Intelligence Unit in London.
- Graduate studies: London School of Economics.

### Administrative metadata and update
- Last updated: May 4, 2026.

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## References

- [IMF Senior Officials](https://www.imf.org/en/About/senior-officials)

_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/about/senior-officials/bios/abebe-selassie_