Abdirahman Bashir Shariff is a Senior Advisor to the Executive Director for Africa Group 1 at the World Bank Group. He provides strategic guidance on policies affecting 22 African member countries. A seasoned public policy expert and diplomat with extensive experience in international development, economic strategy, and multilateral engagement, his work focuses on fostering partnerships, advising on development strategies, private sector development, and addressing challenges in fragile, conflict, and violence-affected (FCV) regions. In his role, he also supports the Board of the World Bank Group, contributing to policy discussions, governance matters, and institutional decision-making processes.
Prior to this position, Abdirahman played a key role in shaping Somalia’s diplomatic, economic, and financial engagement, as well as its recovery, while serving as Deputy Ambassador to the United States at the Somali Embassy in Washington, D.C. His efforts included spearheading negotiations with the UN, leading public diplomacy initiatives, advancing Somalia’s debt relief agenda, and strengthening the country’s engagement with global financial institutions such as the World Bank and the IMF.
With a strong background in finance and governance, Abdirahman has also advised Somalia’s Prime Minister and Ministry of Interior on public finance, fiscal decentralization, and intergovernmental relations. His career has been defined by his ability to navigate complex political and economic landscapes, ensuring sustainable policy implementation and development impact.
Abdirahman holds a Master’s in Public Policy & Leadership from Georgetown University and a Master’s in Management (Finance) from International Islamic University, Malaysia. Fluent in English, Somali, Arabic, Malay, and Kiswahili, he enjoys engaging in public debates, policy discussions, and creative pursuits such as writing, art, and travel.