Awad El Karim Makki is a prominent Sudanese economist and politician who served as the Minister of Finance and National Economy in the transitional government of Sudan following the overthrow of Omar al-Bashir. Appointed as a key figure in Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok's cabinet, Makki was tasked with addressing Sudan's severe economic crisis and spearheading efforts to reintegrate the country into the international financial system.
Early Life and Education Awad El Karim Makki has a distinguished background in economics and international development. Before his ministerial role, he accumulated extensive experience working with various international financial institutions and development organizations. His career included positions at institutions such as the World Bank and the African Development Bank, where he specialized in economic policy, public finance, and development strategies, giving him a deep understanding of the challenges facing developing economies.
Minister of Finance and National Economy (2019-2021) Makki was appointed Minister of Finance and National Economy in September 2019, as part of the first civilian-led transitional government established after the December 2018 revolution. His tenure as minister was critical, as he led efforts to navigate Sudan through an acute economic crisis characterized by hyperinflation, chronic budget deficits, and a crushing national debt burden. Key initiatives and achievements during his period in office included:
- Economic Reforms: Spearheading ambitious structural economic reforms, including efforts to rationalize subsidies, increase government revenue, and enhance fiscal management to stabilize the economy.
- Debt Relief Initiatives: Playing a central role in Sudan's campaign to secure debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative, engaging extensively with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.
- International Re-engagement: Working to restore Sudan's relationships with international financial bodies and donor countries, aiming to attract foreign investment and aid after decades of isolation.
- Budgetary Stabilization: Implementing measures to control the national budget deficit and promote greater transparency and accountability in public financial management.
Makki's work was fundamental in setting the stage for potential economic recovery and attracting crucial international support, despite the profound political instability and economic hardships that characterized Sudan's transitional period. His term concluded with the military coup in October 2021, which dissolved the transitional government.