CV-Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates

Dr. Afrah Abdulaziz Al-Zouba

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates

Dr. Afrah Al-Zouba is a prominent Yemeni leader in public administration, institutional governance, and economic development, with over 25 years of experience in complex and fragile environments. She has held senior leadership positions, leading efforts at the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation to prepare the national development plan, coordinate international support and cooperation, develop information systems, and enhance the Ministry’s institutional performance. She also possesses extensive experience in building partnerships with government entities and international institutions, as well as formulating public policies in the electricity, public finance, agriculture, and fisheries sectors.

Professional Experience:

Minister of Planning and International Cooperation (February 2026 – July 2026)

Leading institutional reforms within the Ministry to increase efficiency, strengthen governance, and develop administrative and organizational performance.
Developing cooperation and partnership strategies with international partners, financial institutions, and relevant stakeholders, aligning with government priorities.
Building and strengthening coordination and communication mechanisms between the Ministry, government and non-governmental entities, and development partners.
Leading fundraising efforts and resource mobilization from donors and international partners to support development programs and projects.
Overseeing the preparation and implementation of the National Development Plan, ensuring its alignment with Yemen’s economic and social needs and priorities.

Executive Director of the Executive Bureau for the Acceleration of Donor Pledges Absorption and the Execution of Reform Policies (March 2021 – June 2025)

Overseeing the achievement of the Bureau’s strategic goals and plans with high efficiency.
Strengthening the capacities of vital ministries (such as Electricity, Agriculture, Fisheries, Finance, and Higher Education), contributing to elevating performance levels and institutional commitment.
Contributing to government economic stabilization initiatives through policy framework development, strategic recommendation formulation, and specialized technical support to state institutions.
Studying and developing public-private partnership (PPP) proposals in vital economic sectors, including electricity, fisheries, and telecommunications.
Leading coordination efforts with ministries and international donor agencies (such as the World Bank, IMF, and Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen), representing the government in high-level meetings.
Managing major projects: Leading the implementation of the Saudi Fuel Grant agreement (valued at $422 million) by providing technical support, facilitating procedures, and developing project proposals in coordination with relevant ministries.

Consultant in Development, Humanitarian Relief, and Peacebuilding (March 2015 – February 2021)

Advisor to the Prime Minister on humanitarian relief and development programs, contributing to the improvement of relief efforts and humanitarian interventions in Yemen.
Served as the National Coordinator for the COVID-19 Vaccine Program.
Led two monitoring and evaluation studies for projects funded by the World Bank and USAID.
Participated in UN Track II activities to address war-related issues and peacebuilding.
Led numerous advocacy campaigns, including a campaign to salvage the Safer oil tanker.

Deputy Secretary-General of the Comprehensive National Dialogue Conference (NDC) (January 2013 – February 2015)

Contributed to managing the NDC Secretariat team, ensuring smooth daily operational and technical workflows for more than 150 staff members.
Headed the International Cooperation and Technical Support Sector for the Dialogue Conference and its working groups, developing and managing community engagement mechanisms to bridge communication between the Conference and various societal sectors.
Provided direct technical support to the Consensus Committee and the NDC Secretariat Presidency.
Supervised the design and publication of the National Dialogue Outcomes document, co-authored its foreword, and prepared an introductory handbook on the Conference.
Represented the Secretariat in high-level meetings with international partners inside and outside Yemen.

Deputy Secretary-General of the Constitution Drafting Committee (2014 – 2015)

Organized and facilitated technical and logistical aspects of the Committee’s work, including recruiting experts and organizing foreign visits for members to review international federal models aligned with the National Dialogue Outcomes regarding the federal structure of the state.
Managed the Secretariat team.
Represented the Secretariat in regular meetings and briefings with regional and international partners.

United States Agency for International Development (USAID) – Democracy and Governance Specialist (October 2010 – December 2012)

Supervised youth and women’s empowerment projects and promoted political participation.
Led capacity-building initiatives to enhance governance and policy-making within Yemeni government institutions.
Prepared annual plans, budgets, and reports in accordance with USAID models and guidelines.

Acting Executive Director and Project Unit Manager at SOUL for Development – Yemen (January 2000 – September 2010)

Co-managed the organization and ensured effective daily operations through direct supervision and coordination with over 20 staff members.
Planned and supervised development and advocacy programs in health, education, poverty alleviation, local economic development, and women’s and children’s rights across urban and rural settings.
Supervised over 30 studies and research projects in baseline evaluation, monitoring, and performance assessment.

Awards and Recognition:

Selected as part of a select women’s team by the Office of the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Yemen to participate in a peace mission during the 2016 Kuwait negotiations.
Selected as Program Coordinator for the Global Peacebuilders Program in 2017 in Hiroshima, funded by the Japanese government.
Participated in dialogues and seminars with elite Yemeni politicians and decision-makers to support peace efforts in Yemen.
Selected for the UNITAR Fellowship Program in Peacebuilding and Preventive Diplomacy executed by the United Nations.
Participated in and held membership in several national initiatives, such as the Development Champions Forum.

Educational Qualifications:

Master of Business Administration (MBA) – University of Science and Technology (2009)
Master of Community Health and Health Economics – Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM/HUKM) (2007)
Bachelor of Pharmacy – Sana’a University (1997)

Languages:

Arabic and English