Regional Director, Africa
Mr. Zia Hashmi is a seasoned development professional and internationally recognized evaluation expert, bringing over 27 years of leadership experience in strategic advisory, program evaluation, and institutional development across South Asia, East Africa, and the MENA region. He is now spearheading AiD’s expansion and operations across the African continent.
His career is distinguished by a deep commitment to evidence-based policy, results-driven programming, and fostering effective partnerships between governments, development partners, civil society, and the private sector. Mr. Hashmi possesses an extensive background in designing and overseeing robust M&E systems, theory of change models, and strategic learning frameworks that enhance program impact and inform high-level decision-making.
Mr. Hashmi’s expertise is grounded in international evaluation standards, applying frameworks such as OECD-DAC criteria (including ALNAP for humanitarian contexts), as well as UNDP, ADB, and World Bank methodologies. This technical rigor, combined with a culturally informed and diplomatic approach, enables him to operate effectively in complex and sensitive environments, ensuring solutions are both actionable and sustainable.
He has a proven track record of cultivating and managing relationships with major institutional donors and multilateral agencies, including the World Bank, African Development Bank (AfDB), EU, ECHO, FCDO, BMZ (GIZ), and various UN agencies (UNDP, UNHCR, UNICEF). His work has directly shaped humanitarian and development initiatives, with a strong focus on capacity building, policy dialogue, and rights-based development.
At AiD, as Regional Director - Africa, Mr. Hashmi leverages his vast networks and strategic vision to drive the firm’s growth and impact across the region. He plays a pivotal role in identifying new opportunities, leading high-level negotiations, and building strategic consortia for complex, multi-partner projects. His leadership ensures AiD’s initiatives in infrastructure, water resources, climate resilience, and social development are grounded in rigorous evidence and aligned with both donor priorities and local needs.