Ebrima FAAL

Ebrima Faal is a Gambian professional with over 30 years of experience in international development. His career has focused on economic and development policy, strategy, institutional effectiveness, project development, finance, and implementation. He is a well-respected leader known for his diverse operational experiences across global development institutions.

Currently, Mr. Faal serves as the founder and CEO of Development Perspectives, a consultancy firm that provides technical and transaction advisory services to African countries. He also offers executive-level training to governments and the private sector on public-private partnerships (PPPs) and project finance.

During his tenure at the African Development Bank (AfDB), he held several senior positions, including Senior Director of the Nigeria regional office, Director of the Southern Africa Region, and Director of the Operations Committee and Quality Assurance. In these roles, he managed portfolios exceeding $5 billion and spearheaded lending programs averaging $600 million to $1 billion annually. He was a key player in designing and implementing the Bank's operational strategies and fostering partnerships with regional and global institutions.

Mr. Faal's leadership in operations management, coupled with his expertise in public financial management, contributed significantly to the establishment of the AfDB's Southern Africa Regional Resource Centre. As Senior Director of the Nigeria Country Office, he helped manage and develop extensive public and private sector portfolios in Nigeria, the largest regional member of the Bank.

Prior to joining AfDB, Mr. Faal worked at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), where he held roles as Senior Economist, IMF Resident Representative in Guyana, and in the Pacific countries. He also served as Economic Adviser to the Minister of Finance in Guyana and began his career at the Gambia National Investment Board.

Mr. Faal holds a bachelor's degree in commerce, economics, and accounting from Mount Allison University, Canada, and a Master of Arts in Economics from McGill University, Canada, where he completed doctoral coursework in economics.