ABOUT ME
DR ADDIS ABABA OTHOW (PHD)
Dr. Addis Ababa Othow, born in 1974 in Malakal, South Sudan, is a distinguished economist, banker, academic, and public sector reformer whose career spans decades of impactful service in banking, governance, academia, and national development.
Early Life and Education
Dr. Othow completed his undergraduate studies at Al-Neelain University in Khartoum, Sudan, graduating in 1995 with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics with the classification “Excellent with Second Class Honour.” His exceptional performance earned him the Faculty Board Prize as the best student in the Department of Economics (1994/1995).
In 1996, he joined Al-Neelain University as a Teaching Assistant, shortly before beginning his professional journey in banking.
He later obtained:
Master’s Degree in Economic Development:
Al-Neelain University, 1999
Bachelor’s Degree in Finance & Accounting:
Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen, Netherlands, 2007
PhD in Political Economy:
Al-Neelain University, Khartoum (2013)
Thesis: “Impact of Political Stability on Economic Development: Case of South Sudan”
PhD in Business Administration:
Atlantic International University, USA (2018)
Thesis: “The Role of Institutions in Achieving Financial Stability and Sustainable Economic Development in South Sudan”
To further strengthen his executive leadership capabilities, he completed the prestigious Advanced Management Programme (AMP) at Strathmore University, Kenya, in partnership with Lagos Business School (Nigeria) and IESE Business School (Barcelona, Spain) in 2019.
He is also currently enrolled in the Global CEO Programme, jointly offered by MIT (Boston, USA) and IESE Business School (Madrid, Spain), with only Module 2 remaining, which will be conducted in Singapore.
Early Career and Public Sector Service
Dr. Othow began his banking career in 1997 as a Banking Inspector at the Central Bank of Sudan, where he contributed to significant institutional reforms, including the restructuring of Ivory Bank in 1998.
In 1999, he was seconded to the Council of Southern Sudan as an Advisor and Development Planner, focusing on family welfare and community development programs.
Following his studies in the Netherlands, he worked as an Assistant Auditor at Dubois & Co. Chartered Accountants in Amsterdam (2007–2010), gaining technical expertise in financial reporting and auditing. Returning home in 2010, he served briefly at the South Sudan Anti-Corruption Commission before joining the Bank of South Sudan (BoSS) in December 2010.
Leadership Roles at the Bank of South Sudan (2010–2025)
During his first tenure at the Central Bank, he served as:
Head, Non-Banking Division (2010–2013)
Head, Planning, Regulation & Licensing (2013–2015)
- Member, Steering Committee for Private Sector Development (World Bank & IFC)
In August 2022, he was appointed 1st Deputy Governor of the Bank of South Sudan, overseeing monetary policy, banking supervision, and institutional regulation.
He served until October 2, 2023, before returning to the private sector.
He was reappointed 1st Deputy Governor on February 21, 2025, responsible for Policy and Banking. On June 9, 2025, he was appointed Governor of the Bank of South Sudan, serving until November 12, 2025.
Corporate Leadership at Equity Bank Group (2015–2025)
Dr. Othow joined Equity Group Holdings in February 2015 as General Manager – Operations at the Nairobi headquarters.
He later served as:
Director of Operations & Deputy Managing Director, Equity Bank South Sudan (EBSSL)
Managing Director of EBSSL (2018–2022)
He returned to the bank again on November 20, 2023, where he resumed the role of Managing Director, serving until early 2025 before rejoining the Central Bank.
Academic and National Governance Roles
Dr. Othow serves as an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Juba, College of Social and Economic Studies.
He also held several national leadership positions, including:
Chairperson, Board of Directors – South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority (SSCAA)
Chairperson, Board of Governors – Rombur National Teachers Training Institute (NTTI)
Chairperson, National Committee for the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), South Sudan
Past roles include:
Deputy Chairperson, Board of Trustees – South Sudan Pensions Fund (SSPF)
Professional Development and Global Exposure
Dr. Othow has participated in numerous executive leadership programs, seminars, and workshops worldwide, including:
Harvard Business School
MIT Sloan School of Management
Lagos Business School
Central Bank training programs across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East
Dr. Othow’s professional expertise spans a broad spectrum of specialized fields central to national economic transformation, financial governance, and institutional development. His competencies include:
Economic Development & Monetary Policies
Financial Sector Stability
Governance & Public Financial Management
Corporate Governance & Board Leadership
Financial Regulation & Compliance
AcademicResearch & Knowledge Development
Published Works
Dr. Addis is the author of the following books: