BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 10. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has appointed Heike Harmgart as its first Managing Director for sub-Saharan Africa, Trend reports.
As per the bank, Heike Harmgart, who is currently the EBRD's Managing Director for the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean (SEMED) region, will step into her new position on September 1.
She will continue to oversee the SEMED region and will remain in Cairo until a new Managing Director of South Africa is appointed and the Bank has decided on the location of its regional hub for sub-Saharan Africa.
At the same time, Heike Harmgart will lead the EBRD's banking operations in the sub-Saharan Africa region, which will include Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and Senegal.
"I am thrilled to be leading the EBRD’s expansion on the ground in this important new region for the Bank and calling on our successful experience from SEMED as I do so. I look forward to setting up our offices and launching operations in the six countries, for the benefit of the people who live there," Heike Harmgart said regarding her appointment.
Meanwhile, the EBRD fosters private-sector growth across 36 economies to support their transition to greener, more inclusive, and more digital economies. Since its establishment, the Bank has invested nearly 200 billion euros, with 80 percent of that funding directed towards the private sector.