KAMPALA, Uganda — The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has appointed Ugandan national Dr. Alex Mubiru as the Director General for the East Africa Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery Office and Country Manager designate for Kenya, effective today, May 1, 2025.
Dr. Mubiru, a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience in international development, brings a strong track record of leadership and results-driven execution to his new role. Since joining the AfDB in 2009, he has held various significant positions within the institution, including Principal Research Economist, Principal Country Economist, Lead Strategy & Operational Policies Advisor, Division Manager for Resource Mobilization & Sovereign Partnerships, Country Manager for Tanzania, and Director of Strategy & Delivery in the President’s Cabinet. Most recently, he served as Director General of the Cabinet Office of the President, a role he assumed in August 2022.
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Before his tenure at the AfDB, Dr. Mubiru spent over a decade in Southeast Asia, contributing to research, policy, and academia. In Thailand, he held positions 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, gaining a comprehensive understanding of global socioeconomic development.
In his new capacity, Dr. Mubiru will be responsible for overseeing the AfDB’s operations, project management, and engagement with stakeholders across twelve countries in the East Africa region. His mandate will be to ensure these activities align with the African Development Bank Group’s overarching 10-Year Strategy. He will manage an active portfolio valued at $16.8 billion, encompassing 314 distinct development operations.
Dr. Mubiru holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy, Political Science, and Economics from Macalester College, as well as dual master’s degrees in public affairs and urban & regional planning, and a PhD in Public Affairs from Princeton University.
Commenting on his appointment, Dr. Mubiru expressed his gratitude for the opportunity. “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, lauded Dr. Mubiru’s appointment. “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.”
Dr. Mubiru’s appointment to this prominent regional leadership role within the African Development Bank is seen as a significant step for Uganda, highlighting the country’s talent pool in international development and finance. His extensive experience and understanding of the African context are expected to be crucial in advancing the AfDB’s development agenda in the East Africa region.
