EBRD appoints Remon Zakaria head of Yerevan office

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has appointed Remon Zakaria as the new head of its Yerevan Resident Office, effective 1 September 2026, replacing George Akhalkatsi.

Based in Yerevan, Mr Zakaria will be responsible for the EBRD’s investments and operations in Armenia and will report to Tomas Kairys, Regional Director for the Caucasus.

Mr Zakaria said: “I am delighted to take on this new role and to work with the EBRD’s strong team in Armenia. We will continue to support the growth and competitiveness of the private sector, deepen capital markets and accelerate the green transition. Armenia has significant potential across key sectors, and I look forward to working closely with our partners to unlock new investment opportunities and deliver tangible impact.”

An Italian national, Mr Zakaria joined the EBRD in 2012 in the Istanbul hub as part of the Energy Efficiency and Climate Change banking team, following earlier experience in international consulting focused on project finance, due diligence and the preparation of renewable-energy and energy-efficiency investments.

Over subsequent years, he held a series of progressively senior roles in Istanbul and London, working across eastern Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia and the southern and eastern Mediterranean, contributing to more than €600 million of green investments. He later led a specialised green-buildings unit, helping to expand green investment in private-sector real estate and supporting major public-sector building-renovation programmes across multiple countries.

Since 2021, Mr Zakaria has served as Head of Montenegro, where he led a period of strong growth. During his tenure, the Bank saw delivery of more than 40 per cent of all EBRD projects and investments in the country since operations began in 2006, alongside progress on key reforms supporting the green transition and private-sector development.

Mr Zakaria brings to his new role extensive experience in infrastructure, energy and private-sector finance, combining country leadership with a strong background in project finance and policy engagement.

The EBRD has been working in Armenia since 1992. To date, the Bank has invested €3 billion across 245 projects.