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The biography documented reflects the year of AMALI's participation and should not be considered the most recent update.
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Mesfin Menza Mamo
4th Cohort 2026
Mayor of Arba Minch, Ethiopia
Arba Minch, Ethiopia
Dr Mesfin Menza was elected as Mayor of Arba Minch, a city named after the 40 springs found in its administrative boundaries, in March 2025. A development economist and policy analyst by profession, his core interests are in financial development, poverty, inequality, food security, health economics, and environmental economics. He is an Associate Professor of Development Economics and Policy at Arba Minch University, where he previously supervised students in the economics department prior to assuming the mayoral role. He has contributed to Ethiopia’s academic landscape as a lecturer and researcher, resulting in the publication of over a dozen articles on Ethiopia and developing economies. Holding a BA in Economics and an MSc in Economic Policy Analysis from Arba Minch University, and a PhD in Development Economics from Punjabi University, India, Dr. Menza brings a wealth of expertise to practical leadership. Mayor Menza’s vision for Arba Minch centres on digitised service delivery mechanisms, improved land management and sustainable urban planning to enhance quality of life for residents.