A passionate and results-oriented Economist, Professor Urama, a British citizen, has over 30 years of Africa-wide and global experience in economic policy and knowledge management. Before he was appointed substantive  Chief Economist and Vice President of Economic Governance and Knowledge Management at the African Development Bank Group, he served on an interim basis from October 2021, doubling as Senior Director for the Bank’s African Development Institute, a position he held from October 2018.

As Acting Vice President, Urama, under the leadership of the President, introduced innovative flagship knowledge products for the Bank including Macro-economic Performance and Outlook Reports (MEO), and Country Focused Reports (CFRs), and significantly enhanced the impact of the Bank’s annual Africa’s Economic Outlook (AEO). He also led the establishment of the Public Finance Management Academy for Africa (PFMA) and several strategic reforms to reposition the Bank as a leader in providing knowledge solutions for Africa’s development.

He is an elected Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences (AAS); a Distinguished Professor of the University of Nigeria; an Adjunct Professor at the Sir Walter Murdoch School of Public Policy and International Affairs, Murdoch University, Western Australia; and was an Extra-Ordinary Professor in the School of Public Leadership, Stellenbosch University, South Africa; and a Visiting Professor at the Department of Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy, University College London.

He holds an MPhil and a Ph.D. in Land Economy from the University of Cambridge; and a B.Sc. and an M.Sc. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Nigeria where he won several prizes as the best-graduating student.

Prof. Urama has received several Prizes and Awards for his contributions to science and excellence in leadership and community development.