The African Union Development Agency–New Partnership for Africa’s Development is the world’s only continental development agency covering 55 African countries. It is AU’s socio-economic program aiming to promote growth, end poverty, end Africa’s operation, and enhance the AU’s impact and operational efficiency. The organization elected Nardos Bekele as its first woman CEO in the Thirty-Fifth Ordinary Session of the African Union. She will be replacing Ibrahim Mayak who is the previous UN Resident Coordinator in South Africa.
Nardos has vast multilateralism experience and dedication to Africa’s human development. Nardos Bekele is bilingual in French & English and the author of several papers & monographs. She has vast experience working in the UN with positions such as Senior Director of the Office of the UN Secretary-General, Resident Coordinator for the UN in South Africa, Resident Coordinator & UNDP Resident Representative in Kenya & Benin, and the Deputy Resident Representative in Kenya.
She is also an expert as a Private Sector Policy Adviser promoting trade and investment in multiple African countries through private/public sector partnerships in the United States. In addition, she has experience in a technical and advisory capacity, assisting in introducing and forming the Social Dimensions of Development’s pro-poor programme.
