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Abebe Aemro Selassie

Director, African Department | International Monetary Fund

Abebe Aemro Selassie is the Director of the IMF’s African Department, with responsibility for the Fund’s operations and engagement with the 45 member countries from sub-Saharan Africa. He assumed this role in September 2016. Prior to this assignment, Abebe was Deputy Director of the Department.

  • Between 2011 and 2013, he was in charge of the IMF’s work on Portugal under its IMF/EU/ECB-supported adjustment program (2011-13). 

  • From 2009 to 2011, he was the mission chief for South Africa, leading the Article IV discussions with the government, and Chief of the African Department’s Regional Studies Division.

  • From 2006 to 2009, Mr. Selassie was the IMF’s Senior Resident Representative in Uganda.

  • Earlier in his career, he worked on the Fund’s lending programs with Turkey (1999-2001), Thailand (1998-99), Romania (1997-98) and Estonia (1996-97) as well as taking part in extensive policy, operational review, and economic research work.

  • Before joining the IMF in 1994, he worked for the Government of Ethiopia (1992-94) and the Economist Intelligence Unit in London (1991-92). 

  •  An Ethiopian national, Abebe did his graduate studies at the London School of Economics.