Lead Regional Economist

Abdelkarim Sma

Abdelkarim Sma is the Lead Regional Economist for the Near East, North Africa and Europe division at the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). As Lead Regional Economist, Sma provides policy and technical advisory support to IFAD operations in Near East, North Africa and Europe division by helping strengthen the economic soundness, relevance, and value for money. He conducts policy and applied economic research and contributes to capacity building and knowledge sharing initiatives.

Prior to his current assignment, Sma managed several IFAD country programs in the Arab region as well as the transition countries of the former Soviet Union. Sma joined IFAD after spending seven years coordinating the international operations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in North Africa. Previously, he worked as the head of the Agri-Business Department in a major consultancy firm.

Sma graduated from the‘’Grandes Ecoles d’Ingenieurs’’ as a Food Industry Engineer and holds a Master’s Degree in Agricultural Biotechnologies.