The African Development Bank (AfDB) has appointed Dr Tonia Kandiero as director-general of its Southern Africaregional development and business delivery office, effective December 1.
The office forms part of the AfDB’s new business approach to accelerate its business and development impacts across the continent.
A Malawian national, Kandiero has worked across Southern Africa and brings experience in government, academia and international financial institutions. She is currently the AfDB’s resident representative for Tanzania, responsible for managing one of the largest beneficiaries, with a portfolio of US$2-billion.
During her tenure, the Tanzania portfolio has strengthened, making it increasingly relevant to the country. She has also focused on strengthening portfolio management across sectors, including transport, energy, water, agriculture, education and health and under her leadership engagement with the private sector has been deepened.
AfDB president Akinwumi Adesina said Kandiero’s experience in regional trade, macroeconomics, policy and operations of the bank, and deep knowledge of the region, would be “very helpful” as the bank rolled out its new development and business delivery model for accelerating its operations in the region.
Adesina also appointed four other DGs in the bank’s regional development and business delivery offices on the continent, namely Janvier Litse for West Africa; Ousmane Dore for Central Africa; Gabriel Negatu for East Africa; and Mohamed El Azizi for North Africa.
He also appointed Ebrima Faal director of the bank’s Nigeria country office.
