Yaroslav Eferin is a digital economy and e-commerce specialist with over 7 years of experience at the World Bank and international development organizations. He has a proven track record in leading digital transformation projects, e-commerce and AI initiatives, and digital policy development across Central Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Yaroslav also brings more than 5 years of academic experience in economic research and policy analysis. At the World Bank, he has led research, development, and pilot assessments at both national and sub-national levels across Europe and Central Asia, and currently spearheads several key components of the E-Commerce Development Program in Central Asia (E-GATE).
Beyond his work with the World Bank, Yaroslav has contributed as a team lead, technical expert, and lead author for digital ecosystem projects in Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Zambia, Ghana, and Jordan. He is affiliated with several international consulting organizations as a digital economy expert. Previously, he worked at the Centre for Social Innovation in Vienna, focusing on science, technology, and innovation policies in both developed and emerging economies. Yaroslav holds a postgraduate degree in economics, an MA in governance of science, technology and innovation, and a BA in world economy from the Higher School of Economics. He speaks Russian, English, and German.