Qimiao Fan has been appointed as the World Bank’s new country director for Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, and Uganda, succeeding Keith Hansen, who served in this role since 2020. Mr. Fan is set to lead the execution of sector and project initiatives in these countries, working closely with the World Bank’s regional vice president and local mission teams. His appointment is expected to strengthen relationships with the four borrowing member countries.
Mr. Fan brings a strong academic foundation in economics and finance to his new role. He completed his undergraduate studies in Banking and Finance at Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics in China from 1978 to 1982, followed by a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom between 1984 and 1987.
With over 30 years of experience, Mr. Fan’s career at the World Bank has been marked by a series of significant roles. Most recently from 2020, he served as the Director of Strategy & Operations in the Office of the Managing Director for Development Policy & Partnerships, where he was a key figure in driving strategic initiatives aligned with the World Bank’s mission to end extreme poverty and enhance shared prosperity.
Mr. Fan’s career includes leadership roles within the Equitable Growth, Finance and Institutions Vice Presidency, where he worked on promoting inclusive economic growth and reinforcing financial systems in developing countries.
Additionally, he has held the position of Country Director for several nations, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Belarus, Moldova, and Ukraine, overseeing World Bank operations, strategy development, and engagement with both government officials and civil society.
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Beyond his work at the World Bank, Mr. Fan has also excelled in the private sector. He held executive roles such as Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of HC International, a leading investment firm in China, and Vice Chairman and CEO of Tintic Trust and Investment Company, a private equity firm focusing on emerging markets.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Fan further contributed to academic research at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics.