This brings to a close more than three decades of service at the Fund. Georgieva paid tribute to Selassie’s leadership since 2016, a period marked by overlapping global and regional crises that reshaped the Fund’s engagement with Africa.
During his tenure, the African Department supported programmes and policy engagement across 45 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, responding to rising demand as governments grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic, high inflation, debt pressures and shifts in global trade.
Under Selassie’s leadership, the IMF expanded the representation of sub-Saharan Africa through the addition of a 25th chair on the Executive Board, strengthening the region’s voice in the institution. Georgieva highlighted his role in reinforcing the Fund’s position as a trusted partner to African member states during an exceptionally challenging period.
She also credited Selassie with championing more tailored policy advice and capacity development, deepening engagement in key countries, and helping to mobilise additional resources for fragile and conflict-affected states.
Internal reforms under his watch modernised the African Department’s operations and improved collaboration across the Fund on issues including debt resolution, Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust financing, and resilience to economic shocks.
An Ethiopian national, Selassie joined the IMF in 1994 and has built a 32-year career spanning senior leadership and field roles. He previously served as Deputy Director of the African Department, Mission Chief for Portugal and South Africa, Division Chief of the Regional Studies Division, and Senior Resident Representative in Uganda.
Earlier assignments included work on programmes in Turkey, Thailand, Romania and Estonia, as well as contributions to policy development, operational review and economic research.
Georgieva described Selassie’s legacy as closely aligned with the aspirations of Africa’s people, particularly the youth, for good governance, strong economies and lasting prosperity. She noted that his diplomatic skill and strategic vision have left a lasting imprint on the Fund’s work across the continent.
–IMF/ChannelAfrica–
