Ambassador Mahboub Maalim is a seasoned Kenyan diplomat, engineer, and regional leader with extensive experience in international development and peacebuilding across the Horn of Africa. He is best known for serving as the Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), where he led regional efforts on conflict resolution, climate resilience, and economic cooperation among East African states.

Trained as a civil engineer, Maalim holds degrees from the University of Nairobi and the University of Birmingham, and has combined technical expertise with high-level diplomacy throughout his career. He has also served as Kenya’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, where he played a key role in national water sector reforms and infrastructure development.

Over the years, he has been actively involved in mediating regional conflicts, supporting humanitarian initiatives, and advancing policies on drought management and sustainable development. His leadership at IGAD positioned him as a central figure in addressing cross-border challenges such as security, migration, and climate change in the Horn of Africa.

Areas of Expertise

● Regional diplomacy and multilateral cooperation
● Peacebuilding and conflict resolution
● Water resource management and engineering
● Climate resilience and drought response
● Development policy and regional integration
● Humanitarian coordination and crisis management