Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates

Afrah A. Al-Zouba

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates

Profile:

Education

Master of Business Administration (MBA)
University of Science and Technology, Yemen — 2009

Master of Science (MSc) in Community Health Management
Hospital University Kebangsaan Malaysia (HUKM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — 2007

Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Pharmaceutical Sciences
Sana’a University, Yemen — 1995

Experience

Minister of Planning and International Cooperation

February 2026 – July 2026

• Launching institutional reforms within the Ministry to improve efficiency and governance.
• Supporting the development of collaborative engagement and partnership strategies with international partners and key stakeholders
• Building and strengthening coordination mechanisms with government and non-government stakeholders.
• Leading fundraising and resource mobilization efforts with donors and development partners.
• Leading the development and implementation of the national development plan.

Governor of Yemen to the World Bank and other development banks/funds

February 2026 – Present

·       Representing Yemen in engagements with the World Bank and other development finance institutions.

·       Leading negotiations on financing, grants and development programs.

·       Strengthening relationships with international financial institutions and donors.

·       Supporting resource mobilization and portfolio coordination.

Managing Director, The Executive Bureau (EB) for the Accelerating of Aid Absorption and Supporting Policy Reforms

March 2021 – June 2025

• Provided overalltechnical, administrative, and financial leadership to the Executive Bureau staff.
• Oversaw assignments and ensured effective implementation ofannual strategic plans.
• Strengthened the institutional capacity of key ministries, includingElectricity, Agriculture & Fisheries, Finance, and Higher Education, resulting in improved performance and accountability.
• Contributed substantively toeconomic stabilization initiatives through policy framework development, strategic recommendations, and targeted technical assistance to state institutions.
• Led strategic analysis and development ofpublic–private partnership (PPP) proposals in priority sectors such as electricity, fisheries, and telecommunications.
• Liaised with government ministries and the donor community, including theWorld Bank and IMF, and represented the Government in high-level national and international meetings.
• Led implementation of aUSD 422 million Saudi fuel subsidy agreement, providing technical support, facilitation, and developing project proposals in collaboration with line ministries.

Consultant – Development, Humanitarian Relief, and Peacebuilding

2015 – 2021

• Advised the Prime Minister onhumanitarian aid and development programs, strengthening the effectiveness of relief and recovery interventions in Yemen.
• Ledmonitoring and evaluation (M&E) studies for projects funded by the World Bank and USAID.
• Participated inUN Track II initiatives focused on conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
• Led national and internationaladvocacy campaigns, including the successful campaign to prevent environmental disaster related to the FSO SAFER oil tanker.

Deputy Secretary-General, National Dialogue Conference (NDC)

2013 – 2015

• Co-managed the National Dialogue Secretariat, ensuring smooth operations and day-to-day management ofover 150 staff members.
• Ledinternational cooperation and technical support, and developed strategies for conflict mitigation and community engagement.
• Played a critical role inaverting the collapse of the National Dialogue Conference.
• Represented the Secretariat in high-level donor meetings and contributed to the development of theNDC Outcomes Document.

Deputy Secretary-General, Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC)

2014 – 2015

• Organized and facilitated thetechnical, logistical, and substantive aspects of the Constitution Drafting Commission’s work.
• Oversaw procurement of national and international experts, public outreach initiatives, and operational coordination.

Specialist – Democracy and Good Governance

USAID, Yemen | 2010 – 2012

• Managed and supervised projects focused onyouth and women’s empowerment, increasing political participation and visibility.
• Led USAID-fundedcapacity-building initiatives to strengthen governance and policy-making within Yemeni government institutions.
• Developed concept notes, annual work plans, and budgets, and prepared narrative and financial reports in line withUSAID guidelines.

Acting Executive Director & Head of Projects Unit

SOUL for Development, Yemen | 2000 – 2010

• Co-managed the organization and ensured effective daily operations through supervision and coordination ofover 20 staff members.
• Planned, directed, and supervised development and advocacy programs inhealth, education, poverty reduction, local economic development, and women’s and children’s rights, using community-based approaches in urban and rural settings.
• Ledmore than 30 development studies and research projects, including baseline assessments, monitoring and follow-up, and impact evaluations.

Awards & Distinctions

• Selected by the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Yemen—alongside six other women—to participate in a peace mission supporting negotiations between Yemeni warring parties in Kuwait (2016).
• Selected as a Program Associate for the 2017 Global Peacebuilders Program, Hiroshima, funded by the Government of Japan.
• Accepted into the UNITAR Fellowship Programme in Peacemaking and Preventive Diplomacy (2020).
• Participated in high-level dialogues and seminars with senior Yemeni politicians and peacemakers, contributing to UN-supported peacebuilding efforts, including initiatives organized by the Berghof Foundation and International IDEA.
• Served as a keynote speaker on Yemen at multiple regional and international conferences and forums.
• Active board member of several civil society organizations and platforms, including:
  • Yemen Development Champions Forum
  • SOUL for Development
  • Resonate Yemen
  • Marib Girls Foundation

Languages

• Arabic (Native)
• English (Fluent)