EAST AFRICA – The World Bank has appointed Mr. Keith Hansen as the new Country Director for Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia and Uganda, with effect from September 8, 2020.
Mr. Hansen, who has over 30 years of experience in development practice, will lead an active multi-country portfolio consisting of over 100 projects totalling more than US$13 billion.
Under the new regional boss’s leadership, the World Bank will work closely with the four countries to provide innovative products and services that respond to their diverse development challenges and contribute to achieving sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction, with a specific emphasis on COVID-19 recovery.
The appointment comes at a time when the countries of Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, and Uganda are combating the socio-economic and health impacts brought by the COVID 19 pandemic with the respective governments rolling out various economic stimuli packages to jumpstart the economies ravaged by the pandemic.
Prior to this new posting, Mr. Hansen he was the Vice President for Global Practice Solutions, Vice President and Director for Human Development, Sector Manager for Health, Nutrition and Population; with his most recent assignment being Senior Advisor in the Office of the World Bank Chief Executive Officer.
With his strong track record of serving clients in different capacities around the globe, including in Africa, Latin American, and the Caribbean, Mr. Hansen has his work cut out in helping the Eastern Africa countries wade through the economic growth slump brought by the COVID 19 pandemic.
Mr. Keith Hansen, an American national, holds a Law Degree from Stanford University, a Master of Public Affairs from Princeton University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Yale University.
Mr. Hansen who will be based in Nairobi, Kenya succeeds Carlos Felipe Jaramillo who was appointed as the Vice President for Latin America and the Caribbean region.
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