The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has appointed Mauritanian Zeine Zeidane as the Director of its Africa Department, effective April 3, 2026. He succeeds Abebe Aemro Selassie, who will step down on May 1, 2026, after nearly a decade in the role. During his tenure, Selassie oversaw the mobilization of approximately $60 billion in financing for sub-Saharan Africa.
Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the IMF, emphasized that Zeidane will bring to the Africa Department "deep institutional knowledge, sound judgment, and strong policymaking experience". She also noted his calm and measured approach in addressing complex challenges.
Zeidane, 54, brings over two decades of experience in macroeconomic policymaking and international economic cooperation. Before joining the IMF in 2012, he held several high-level positions in Mauritania, including Prime Minister, Governor of the Central Bank, and Economic Advisor to the President. He also worked for the World Bank and in the commercial banking sector. Within the IMF, he served as Deputy Director of the Africa Department and later of the Middle East and Central Asia Department. He also contributed to the opening of the IMF's regional office in Riyadh in 2024.
Zeidane's appointment comes at a time when African countries are expressing increasing expectations of the IMF, particularly regarding access to financing and quota reforms. Several African countries are seeking more flexible financing conditions that are better suited to their budgetary constraints. The issue of debt also remains a major concern for many African countries.
In 2025, the IMF published a note emphasizing that debt stabilization remains possible in several cases without systematically resorting to restructurings. Zeidane's experience as head of the Central Bank of Mauritania could prove valuable in managing these delicate issues. His knowledge of African states and his command of the IMF's internal mechanisms are important assets in his new role.
