Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has appointed Eyob Tekalign as the 11th Governor of the National Bank of Ethiopia, succeeding Mamo Mihretu, who resigned after nearly two years in the post.
The appointment, announced on Friday, comes as Ethiopia contends with currency volatility, heavy debt obligations, and an ambitious drive to liberalise its financial sector.
Eyob, currently State Minister of Finance, has been a key architect of the Home-Grown Economic Reform Programme, steering debt restructuring and leading negotiations with the International Monetary Fund and World Bank to mobilise external financing and boost foreign exchange inflows.
Mamo, who stepped down earlier this month, described his departure as an opportunity “to pursue other passions and tackle other challenges.”
He served seven years in government, including as founding chief executive of Ethiopian Investment Holdings and as a senior member of the macroeconomic team behind the reform agenda.
“Over the past seven years, Eyob has been at the forefront of the economic reform in Ethiopia, including the negotiation of the external debt restructuring, tax reforms,” Abdulmenan Mohammed, an independent analyst, told Reuters.
A diverse career across public, private, international institutions
With more than 18 years of experience, Tekalign has worked across government, academia, international organisations and the private sector. He was Minister Counselor at Ethiopia’s embassy in Washington, D.C., Advisor to Ethiopia’s IMF and World Bank Governors, and Head of the Ethiopian Public Private Consultative Forum — a key platform for government–business dialogue.
He has also worked with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, World Bank Group, and the International Finance Corporation, and previously directed SGI Frontier Capital, a US investment firm focused on frontier markets.
Leadership in National Planning and Policy
Tekalign previously led Ethiopia’s National Planning Commission, overseeing key elements of the Home-Grown Economic Reform agenda.
His blend of policymaking experience and private-sector consulting gives him a broad perspective on how public policy and market dynamics intersect.
Academic credentials, recognition
Tekalign holds a PhD in Political Economy from the University of Maryland, a master’s degree in International Development from a US university and a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Addis Ababa University.
He is recognised for his expertise in public finance management, private-sector development and international economic cooperation.
