{"id":38094,"date":"2026-07-24T03:19:19","date_gmt":"2026-07-24T00:19:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mofa-ye.org\/Pages\/?page_id=38094"},"modified":"2026-08-02T16:12:21","modified_gmt":"2026-08-02T13:12:21","slug":"foreign-minister-afrah-en","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mofa-ye.org\/Pages\/foreign-minister-afrah-en\/","title":{"rendered":"Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates"},"content":{"rendered":"

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Afrah A. Al-Zouba<\/strong><\/p>\n

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Profile:<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/i>\n\t\t\tExperienced and strategic leader with extensive experience managing institutions and complex programs focused on economic development and stabilization in Yemen\u2019s conflict context. Proven track record in consortium leadership and socio-economic research. Served as Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, leading institutional reforms, partnerships, and national development planning. Led capacity building efforts for public institutions, contributing to economic resilience. Fluent in English and Arabic.\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n

Education<\/strong><\/p>\n

Master of Business Administration (MBA)<\/strong>
\nUniversity of Science and Technology, Yemen \u2014\u00a02009<\/em><\/p>\n

Master of Science (MSc) in Community Health Management<\/strong>
\nHospital University Kebangsaan Malaysia (HUKM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia \u2014\u00a02007<\/em><\/p>\n

Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Pharmaceutical Sciences<\/strong>
\nSana\u2019a University, Yemen \u2014\u00a01995<\/em><\/p>\n

Experience<\/strong><\/p>\n

Minister of Planning and International Cooperation<\/strong><\/h3>\n

February 2026 \u2013 July 2026<\/em><\/p>\n

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

     <\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Governor of Yemen to the World Bank and other development banks\/funds<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    February 2026 \u2013 Present<\/em><\/p>\n

    \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Representing Yemen in engagements with the World Bank and other development finance institutions.<\/h3>\n

    \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Leading negotiations on financing, grants and development programs.<\/h3>\n

    \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Strengthening relationships with international financial institutions and donors.<\/h3>\n

    \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Supporting resource mobilization and portfolio coordination.<\/h3>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Managing Director, The Executive Bureau (EB) for the Accelerating of Aid Absorption and Supporting Policy Reforms<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    March 2021 \u2013 June 2025<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    • Provided overalltechnical, administrative, and financial leadership\u00a0to the Executive Bureau staff.<\/li>\n
    • Oversaw assignments and ensured effective implementation ofannual strategic plans.<\/li>\n
    • Strengthened the institutional capacity of key ministries, includingElectricity, Agriculture & Fisheries, Finance, and Higher Education, resulting in improved performance and accountability.<\/li>\n
    • Contributed substantively toeconomic stabilization initiatives\u00a0through policy framework development, strategic recommendations, and targeted technical assistance to state institutions.<\/li>\n
    • Led strategic analysis and development ofpublic\u2013private partnership (PPP) proposals\u00a0in priority sectors such as electricity, fisheries, and telecommunications.<\/li>\n
    • Liaised with government ministries and the donor community, including theWorld Bank and IMF, and represented the Government in high-level national and international meetings.<\/li>\n
    • Led implementation of aUSD 422 million Saudi fuel subsidy agreement, providing technical support, facilitation, and developing project proposals in collaboration with line ministries.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Consultant \u2013 Development, Humanitarian Relief, and Peacebuilding<\/strong><\/h3>\n

      2015 \u2013 2021<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

        \n
      • Advised the Prime Minister onhumanitarian aid and development programs<\/strong>, strengthening the effectiveness of relief and recovery interventions in Yemen.<\/li>\n
      • Ledmonitoring and evaluation (M&E)<\/strong>\u00a0studies for projects funded by the\u00a0World Bank and USAID<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
      • Participated inUN Track II initiatives<\/strong>\u00a0focused on conflict resolution and peacebuilding.<\/li>\n
      • Led national and internationaladvocacy campaigns<\/strong>, including the successful campaign to prevent environmental disaster related to the\u00a0FSO SAFER oil tanker<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Deputy Secretary-General, National Dialogue Conference (NDC)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

        2013 \u2013 2015<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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

          Deputy Secretary-General, Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

          2014 \u2013 2015<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

            \n
          • Organized and facilitated thetechnical, logistical, and substantive<\/strong>\u00a0aspects of the Constitution Drafting Commission\u2019s work.<\/li>\n
          • Oversaw procurement of national and international experts, public outreach initiatives, and operational coordination.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Specialist \u2013 Democracy and Good Governance<\/strong><\/h3>\n

            USAID, Yemen | 2010 \u2013 2012<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

              \n
            • Managed and supervised projects focused onyouth and women\u2019s empowerment, increasing political participation and visibility.<\/li>\n
            • Led USAID-fundedcapacity-building initiatives\u00a0to strengthen governance and policy-making within Yemeni government institutions.<\/li>\n
            • Developed concept notes, annual work plans, and budgets, and prepared narrative and financial reports in line withUSAID guidelines.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

               <\/p>\n

              Acting Executive Director & Head of Projects Unit<\/strong><\/h3>\n

              SOUL for Development, Yemen | 2000 \u2013 2010<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

                \n
              • Co-managed the organization and ensured effective daily operations through supervision and coordination ofover 20 staff members.<\/li>\n
              • Planned, directed, and supervised development and advocacy programs inhealth, education, poverty reduction, local economic development, and women\u2019s and children\u2019s rights, using community-based approaches in urban and rural settings.<\/li>\n
              • Ledmore than 30 development studies and research projects, including baseline assessments, monitoring and follow-up, and impact evaluations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                Awards & Distinctions<\/strong><\/p>\n

                  \n
                • Selected by the\u00a0UN Secretary-General\u2019s Special Envoy for Yemen\u2014alongside six other women\u2014to participate in a\u00a0peace mission supporting negotiations between Yemeni warring parties in Kuwait\u00a0(2016<\/em>).<\/li>\n
                • Selected as a\u00a0Program Associate\u00a0for the\u00a02017 Global Peacebuilders Program, Hiroshima, funded by the\u00a0Government of Japan.<\/li>\n
                • Accepted into the\u00a0UNITAR Fellowship Programme in Peacemaking and Preventive Diplomacy\u00a0(2020<\/em>).<\/li>\n
                • Participated in high-level\u00a0dialogues and seminars with senior Yemeni politicians and peacemakers, contributing to UN-supported peacebuilding efforts, including initiatives organized by the\u00a0Berghof Foundation\u00a0and\u00a0International IDEA.<\/li>\n
                • Served as a\u00a0keynote speaker on Yemen\u00a0at multiple regional and international conferences and forums.<\/li>\n
                • Active\u00a0board member\u00a0of several civil society organizations and platforms, including:\n
                    \n
                  • Yemen Development Champions Forum<\/li>\n
                  • SOUL for Development<\/li>\n
                  • Resonate Yemen<\/li>\n
                  • Marib Girls Foundation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                    Languages<\/strong><\/p>\n

                      \n
                    • Arabic (Native)<\/li>\n
                    • English (Fluent)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                        Afrah A. Al-Zouba Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates   Profile: Education Master of Business Administration (MBA) University of Science and Technology, Yemen \u2014\u00a02009 Master of Science (MSc) in Community Health Management Hospital University Kebangsaan Malaysia (HUKM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia \u2014\u00a02007 Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Pharmaceutical Sciences Sana\u2019a University, Yemen \u2014\u00a01995 Experience Minister …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-38094","page","type-page","status-publish",""],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mofa-ye.org\/Pages\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/38094","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mofa-ye.org\/Pages\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mofa-ye.org\/Pages\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mofa-ye.org\/Pages\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mofa-ye.org\/Pages\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38094"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.mofa-ye.org\/Pages\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/38094\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mofa-ye.org\/Pages\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38094"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}