The African Development Bank (AfDB) announced Thursday, December 17, the appointment of Aissa Touré, a Senegalese national, as the incoming Country Manager for the Bank’s operations in Rwanda.

Touré is an economist and development expert with 25 years of experience who has held different responsibilities in several international organisations, according to the Bank’s statement

Her work experience, AfDB said, covers rural development, particularly agriculture, rural economics and climate adaptation and mitigation, among others. 

"She brings a solid set of skills in strategic management, institutional representation and partnership management at country, regional and global levels,” the statement reads in part.

Touré replaces Martha Phiri who has been at the helm of the bank since 2018.

Prior to her appointment, Aissa worked as Country Representative for WaterAid (2003-2007) and as Oxfam America’s Deputy Director for West Africa between 2007 and 2009.

She has consulted for different organisations including the Sahara and Sahel Observatory – OSS, as the Research for Development Program Coordinator from 2009 to 2010.

Aissa was the Country Programme Manager of the International Agriculture Development Fund for Togo, Guinea Bissau and Equatorial Guinea, and was later appointed as Program Manager for India and Nepal.

Before she was appointed, she was the Country Director for the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in Burundi, a position she has held since July 2018.