Habiba Ben Barka

Habiba Ben Barka is a seasoned economist and policy leader with over 20 years of experience shaping Africa’s development agenda through strategic roles in various international organizations. She currently serves as Chief of the Africa Section at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), where she leads flagship reports and policy initiatives focused on economic diversification, trade, financial services, and regional integration under the AfCFTA. Her career spans research, policy design, and technical cooperation across key sectors including governance, finance, private sector development, gender empowerment, and capacity building. Habiba is recognized for her leadership in producing influential publications such as UNCTAD’s Economic Development in Africa Reports (EDAR), and UNECA’s Economic Reports on Africa (ERA). During her 10-year tenure at African Development Bank (AfDB), she held pivotal roles including Political Economist and Senior Economist, producing landmark analyses on state fragility, regional integration, and private sector-led development. Habiba Ben Barka holds a master’s degree in “International Commerce and Public Policy” and a bachelor’s degree in “Government and International Politics” from George Mason University in Virginia, United States.