About the Minister

Dr. Ahmed Rostom is a distinguished economist and international development leader with more than 28 years of experience in financial sector reform, private sector development, and economic policy. He currently serves as Minister of Planning and Economic Development of the Arab Republic of Egypt. 

Before assuming his ministerial role, Dr. Rostom built a distinguished international career at the World Bank, where he served as a Senior Financial and Private Sector Specialist. In this capacity, he led major development finance initiatives across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, working closely with governments, regulators, and private sector stakeholders to design and implement reforms that strengthen financial systems and stimulate economic growth. His work focused on expanding access to finance, mobilizing infrastructure investment, supporting the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises, advancing financial inclusion, and promoting climatesmart investment strategies. Known for combining strategic policy vision with practical implementation, Dr. Rostom has played a key role in shaping programs that translate economic policy into measurable development outcomes.

Dr. Rostom holds a Ph.D. in Economics from George Washington University, an M.Sc. in Economic and Social Policy Analysis from the University of York, and both B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Economics from Cairo University’s Faculty of Economics and Political Science. He has also completed executive education programs at the University of Cambridge, the Wharton School, and Harvard University. A published researcher, his work has appeared in outlets including the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and the World Bank Policy Research Series.