The African Development Bank Group has appointed Dr. Alex Mubiru as Director General for the East Africa Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery Office and Country Manager designate for Kenya, effective May 1, 2025.
A Ugandan national, Dr. Mubiru brings over 25 years of experience in international development, along with a track record of leadership and results-driven execution. Since joining the Bank in 2009, he has served in many roles, including Principal Research Economist, Principal Country Economist, Lead Strategy & Operational Policies Advisor, Division Manager for Resource Mobilization & Sovereign Partnerships, Country Manager for Tanzania, Director of Strategy & Delivery in the President’s Cabinet, and, since August 2022, as Director General of the Cabinet Office of the President.
Before joining the Bank Group, Dr. Mubiru spent over a decade in Southeast Asia, contributing to research, policy, and academia. In Thailand, he briefly worked as a Research Associate at the Thailand Development Research Institute and as a Project Economist at the World Bank Group. Subsequently, in Singapore, he served as an Assistant Professor at the National University of Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and Singapore Management University. These experiences provided him with a well-rounded understanding of global socioeconomic development.
In his new role, Dr. Mubiru will oversee operations, project management, and stakeholder engagement across a dozen countries, ensuring alignment with the African Development Bank Group’s 10-Year Strategy. He will oversee an active portfolio valued at $16.8 billion comprising 314 unique operations.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Political Science, and Economics from Macalester College, and dual master’s degrees in public affairs and urban & regional planning, as well as a PhD in Public Affairs from Princeton University.
Commenting on his appointment, Dr. Mubiru said: “I am deeply honored by the trust President Adesina has placed in me. Leading the Bank’s work in Eastern Africa is a significant responsibility, and I am committed to working with our dedicated teams and partners to drive impactful development outcomes. Together, we will strive to meet the high expectations of our shareholders, beneficiaries, partners, and other stakeholders, delivering measurable progress and contributing to Africa’s ongoing transformation.”
The President of the African Development Bank Group and Chair of its Boards of Directors, Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina said: “Alex’s extensive experience within the Bank, his deep institutional knowledge, and his personal leadership style make him an invaluable asset at this critical juncture. His strategic insight and ability to drive results will be instrumental in streamlining initiatives, overseeing program management, and effectively engaging with partners and beneficiaries. I am confident that he will have an immediate and positive impact, strengthening our work in Eastern Africa.”
