Under Dione’s leadership, the World Bank will continue to provide critical support to MENA countries in the face of complex, multifaceted challenges. Priorities include driving forward economic transformation and private sector job creation, human capital development with inclusive social protection, education and health systems, climate resilience underpinned by green energy, water and food water security, and access to critical infrastructure including digital development.

Dione is a champion for gender equality and youth and committed to advancing the Bank’s work in the most challenging fragile and conflict affected settings. These priorities are a focus cutting across all areas of the region’s work.

In Dione’s most recent position as Country Director for Eritrea, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Sudan, he led a major expansion of the Bank’s engagement, overseeing a portfolio of $17.5 billion. Under his leadership, Ethiopia became the Bank’s largest IDA client with a wide-ranging program to drive transformative impact for people, including by expanding access to water, electricity, and health services. In Sudan, he played a crucial role in paving the way for the country’s full re-engagement with the World Bank after nearly three decades. He was also Country Director for Vietnam at a key juncture in the country’s development, overseeing its transition from an IDA to IBRD client.

Dione joined the World Bank in 2000 and has worked on development issues with countries spanning income groups across Africa, East Asia, Latin America and South Asia. He has forged a strong track record of working in partnership with clients and stakeholders, developing creative solutions to complex challenges, and putting people at the center of his work. A Senegalese national, Dione holds a Ph.D. in Water Resources Engineering from the University of Lyon 3.