Mr Hakim to lead EBRD operations in Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon and the West Bank and Gaza from September 2026
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has appointed Hashem Abdel Hakim as the Regional Director for its eastern Mediterranean region, heading the Bank’s operations in Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon and the West Bank and Gaza.
Mr Hakim will take up his new role on 1 September 2026 and will be based in Amman, reporting to Mark Davis, Managing Director for the southern and eastern Mediterranean (SEMED) region.
An Egyptian national, Mr Hakim joined the EBRD in 2022 and is currently Deputy Head of Egypt and Head of Financial Institutions for the country. He brings more than 25 years of international experience in development finance, financial institutions, capital markets and economic policy.
As Deputy Head of Egypt and Head of Financial Institutions, Mr Hakim has led the Bank’s Financial Institutions business in Egypt, helping to advance private-sector development, expand financial inclusion and support the EBRD’s strategic priorities in the country.
Mr Hakim said: “I am delighted to take on this role and contribute to the EBRD’s mission in the eastern Mediterranean. I look forward to working closely with our clients, partners and stakeholders to support sustainable growth, strengthen economic resilience and expand opportunities for private-sector development across the region.”
Before joining the EBRD, he held senior positions at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group. Earlier in his career, he worked in sovereign and financial institutions risk analysis at Fitch Ratings and in investment banking, advising on debt capital markets and corporate finance transactions.
Mr Hakim brings to the role deep sector expertise, strong leadership credentials and a proven ability to deliver impact across diverse markets and operating environments.
He succeeds Gretchen Biery, who has led the EBRD’s operations in the eastern Mediterranean since September 2023.
The EBRD launched its operations in the SEMED region in 2012 and supports the development of resilient, inclusive and sustainable economies through investment, policy engagement and support for private-sector growth.
The EBRD is a multilateral bank that promotes the development of the private sector and entrepreneurial initiative in 40 economies across three continents. The Bank is owned by 77 countries as well as the EU and the EIB. EBRD investments are aimed at making the economies in its regions competitive, inclusive, well governed, green, resilient andintegrated. Follow us on the web, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, X and YouTube.