Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), announced that Abebe Aemro Selassie intends to retire as Director of the African Department (AFR) on May 1, 2026.
“As Director of AFR since 2016, Abe has guided the department through a period of profound change and challenge,” said Georgieva. “He oversaw the Fund’s engagement with 45 countries across sub-Saharan Africa responding to surging program demand while adapting to the region’s evolving needs during a historically challenging time—from the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing period of high inflation to major shifts in global trade policies. Under his leadership, AFR helped reinforce the Fund’s role as a trusted partner to our African members. During his tenure, the Fund also added a 25th chair to its Executive Board, increasing the voice of sub-Saharan Africa.
“Abe championed tailored policy advice and capacity development for sub-Saharan Africa, deepened engagement in key countries, and helped roll out additional resources to support fragile and conflict-affected states. He also modernized AFR’s operations, strengthened collaboration across departments on critical issues such as debt resolution, PRGT financing, and resilience to shocks, and helped steer the evolving capacity development delivery to the region. His strategic vision and gift for diplomacy have left an enduring mark on the Fund.
