Energy Subsidy Reform

Nooman Rebei is a Senior Economist at the International Monetary Fund's Institute for Capacity Development, bringing extensive expertise in macroeconomics and monetary policy. His career includes notable positions at prestigious institutions, including roles as Principal Economist at the Central Banks of Canada and Spain, and a research economist position at the African Development Bank. He recently served as Director of Economic Analysis and Research at the Central Bank of UAE during a two-year leave from the IMF. With a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Quebec at Montreal, Rebei has made significant contributions to economic research, particularly in areas of informality, macroprudential policy, and monetary economics, with over 600 academic citations to his work. As a Tunisian national, he brings a valuable perspective to international economic policy and has published numerous papers through the IMF and other institutions, focusing on macroeconomics, fiscal policy, and financial sector analysis.

Samah Mazraani is an Economist at the IMF's Fiscal Affairs Department, bringing specialized expertise in empirical macroeconomics and fiscal policy. Her academic background includes a B.S. in Mathematics and a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Pittsburgh, providing a strong foundation for her work in economic analysis. At the IMF, Mazraani has made significant contributions in both the Middle East and Central Asia Department and the Fiscal Affairs Department, focusing on critical expenditure policy issues such as subsidy reform, public investment, and public-private partnerships. Her research and policy work have been particularly impactful in addressing fiscal challenges in developing economies. As a national of Lebanon, Mazraani brings valuable regional insights to her role, enhancing the IMF's capacity to develop tailored fiscal strategies for diverse economic contexts. Her expertise in fiscal policy analysis and implementation has made her a key contributor to the IMF's efforts in promoting sustainable economic growth and fiscal stability across various regions.

Luc Moers is a Senior Economist in the IMF's Middle East and Central Asia Department, bringing extensive expertise in transition and development economics. His career spans multiple prestigious institutions, including roles as an Economist at the Netherlands Central Bank and Researcher at the Tinbergen Institute. His field experience includes serving as the IMF's Resident Representative in Tajikistan, where he focused on low-income countries and policy development. Moers has contributed significantly to development economics through his work as a Consultant in the World Bank's Development Economics Research Group and as a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Central Asia. His academic credentials include a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Amsterdam, with a specialization in transition and development macroeconomics. His research has been particularly influential in understanding institutional measures for transition countries and their impact on economic growth. As a Dutch national, Moers has demonstrated his commitment to international development through various academic positions, including a stint as a Visiting Scholar at the University of Guelph, combining practical policy implementation with scholarly research to advance economic development in transitioning economies.

Masahiro Nozaki is a Senior Economist at the IMF's Fiscal Affairs Department, bringing extensive expertise in macroeconomic and fiscal policy analysis. As a Japanese national, he has made significant contributions to the IMF's work across multiple departments, including the Asia and Pacific Department and the Western Hemisphere Department. Nozaki's academic foundation includes a Ph.D. in economics from Brown University, which underpins his analytical approach to complex economic issues. His work at the IMF has focused on a range of critical areas, including fiscal policies addressing climate change, pension reforms, and social spending in IMF-supported programs. Nozaki has led important missions, such as the 2025 Article IV Consultation with Malaysia, where he provided key insights on fiscal consolidation, monetary policy, and structural reforms. His research portfolio spans diverse topics, including biological interest rates for pensions, health spending implications, and currency fundamentals, demonstrating his versatility in addressing both theoretical and practical economic challenges.

Roland Kangni Kpodar has advanced from his initial role as Senior Economist to become Deputy Division Chief in the Strategy, Policy and Review Department at the International Monetary Fund, where he has served since 2006. His research portfolio spans critical areas including financial development, economic growth, poverty reduction, fuel subsidies, and trade integration. As a Senior Fellow at FERDI (Foundation for Studies and Research on International Development) in Clermont-Ferrand, France, he continues to contribute to academic discourse while maintaining his practical policy work. His expertise is evidenced by highly-cited research on mobile banking, financial inclusion, and Islamic banking, with his work on mobile phones and financial inclusion receiving over 900 citations. Kpodar has led significant IMF missions, including recent work in the Republic of Congo, where he headed discussions on the Extended Credit Facility arrangement. A Togolese national with a Ph.D. in economics from CERDI, he combines academic rigor with practical policy implementation, advising governments on macroeconomic policies and providing analysis on fiscal, monetary, and balance of payments issues.