By Andrei Skvarsky.
The African Development Bank has announced a series of high-level staff moves made over the past few months, with Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade appointed senior vice-president of the AfDB among other nominations.
Akin-Olugbade, who is Cameroonian, was vice-president for regional development before her new appointment.
About half the appointments filled regional roles, according to statements from the AfDB.
Nnenna Nwabufo was appointed vice-president for regional development. Prior to that, Nwabufo, who is Nigerian, was deputy director general for East Africa.
Kennedy Mbekeani was nominated director general for East Africa and country manager for Kenya. Previously, Mbekeani, who is Malawian, was deputy director general for Southern Africa.
Mbekeani’s earlier career included the role of a trade, debt and globalisation adviser for East Africa and Southern Africa for the United Nations Development Programme.
Moono Mupotola became deputy director general for Southern Africa, moving from the position of country manager for Zimbabwe.
The service record of Mupotola, who is Zambian, includes posts with the United Nations’ Economic Commission for Africa and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the African Union Commission – the AU’s executive body – and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Anthony Simpasa, also a Zambian national, was appointed director of macroeconomics policy, forecasting and research, being promoted from a similar role.
Mtchera Johannes Chirwa, who is Malawian, was nominated acting director for the water and sanitation department, combining this position with his current post as coordinator of the African Water Facility, a fund for the use of water resources and sanitation facilities.