CHANGE OF GUARD

World Bank picks new director for Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia and Uganda

He succeeds Carlos Felipe Jaramillo who was appointed as the Vice President for Latin America and the Caribbean region

In Summary
  • Hansen, who has over 30 years of experience in development practice, will lead an active multi-country portfolio consisting of over 100 projects.
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World Bank country director for Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia and Uganda-Keith Hansen/COURTESY
World Bank country director for Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia and Uganda-Keith Hansen/COURTESY

The World Bank has appointed  Keith Hansen as the new Country Director for Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, and Uganda effective September 8, 2020.

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 $13 billion(Sh1.4 trillion).

His appointment comes at a time when the governments of Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, and Uganda are confronting both the immediate and longer-term health and economic impacts of the pandemic.

Prior to this new assignment, 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.

He is 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.

Hansen will be based in Nairobi, Kenya. He succeeds Carlos Felipe Jaramillo who was appointed as the Vice President for Latin America and the Caribbean region.

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