Qimiao Fan Appointed New World Bank Country Director for Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, and Uganda

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The World Bank Group has announced the appointment of Qimiao Fan as the new country director for Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, and Uganda, replacing Keith Hansen who has served in the role since 2020.

Mr Fan will oversee the execution of sector and project initiatives and will be accountable to the World Bank regional vice president. The new country director is anticipated to foster relationships with the four borrowing member countries in collaboration with World Bank’s resident mission representatives.

Mr. Qimiao Fan has a strong educational foundation in economics and finance. He pursued his higher education at prestigious institutions in both the United Kingdom and China.

After completing his undergraduate studies in Banking and Finance at Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics from 1978 to 1982, Mr. Fan went on to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Economics at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom. He completed his doctoral studies between 1984 and 1987.

Mr. Qimiao Fan’s distinguished career spans over three decades, primarily focused on international development and finance.

From 2020 to the present, Mr. Fan has served as the Director of Strategy & Operations in the Office of the Managing Director for Development Policy & Partnerships. In this role, he has been instrumental in developing and implementing strategic initiatives to support the World Bank’s mission of ending extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity.

Prior to this, he held similar roles in the Equitable Growth, Finance and Institutions Vice Presidency, where he focused on promoting inclusive economic growth and strengthening financial systems in developing countries.

His experience at the World Bank also includes serving as the Country Director for several countries, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Belarus, Moldova, and Ukraine.

As Country Director, Mr. Fan was responsible for overseeing the World Bank’s operations in these countries, including the development and implementation of country strategies, portfolio management, and engagement with government officials and civil society organizations.

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Before his time at the World Bank, Mr. Fan held executive positions in the private sector. He served as the Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of HC International, a leading investment firm in China. Here, he was responsible for managing the company’s investments and operations, and for developing new business opportunities.

He also served as the Vice Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Tintic Trust and Investment Company, a private equity firm focused on investing in emerging markets.

Additionally, Mr. Fan has held positions at UBS Securities (East Asia) Limited. His experience in the private sector has provided him with a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing developing countries, and has helped him to develop a strong understanding of the role of the private sector in promoting economic growth and development.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Fan also conducted research at The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics.