Managing Director, GOPA Infra GmbH

Winfried Zarges is a highly accomplished professional with extensive experience in the field of infrastructure and water management. He holds an MBA in Economics from Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany. With a career spanning over three decades, Winfried has a rich employment record, including key positions in renowned organizations.

Currently, Winfried serves as the Managing Director and Project Director at GOPA Infra GmbH, a prominent consulting company specializing in infrastructure development. In this role, he has successfully established and managed GOPA Infra, overseeing strategic planning and backstopping various projects. His responsibilities also encompass investment planning, project prioritization, and fostering the development of human capital and capacities as well as the decentralization of GOPA Infra to Africa and the Middle East.

Over the past 10 years, Winfried has led and contributed to numerous impactful assignments. Notably, he has been involved in Technical Cooperation with all major river basin organizations in Africa (Nile, Congo, Niger, etc.) under the auspices of GIZ. Additionally, he has worked on EU-funded initiatives such as the Water & Environment Support Mechanism (WES) across several countries in the region. Winfried has also undertaken significant projects in countries such as Zambia, Jordan, Afghanistan, Egypt, and Tunisia, addressing critical water supply, sanitation, and wastewater management challenges.

Prior to his current position, Winfried held key roles in GIZ, where he made substantial contributions to transboundary water management programs in Africa. He played a pivotal role in supporting the African Union and NEPAD partnership, particularly in the areas of infrastructure, energy, and water. Winfried's expertise was instrumental in advising African Ministers of Water on various reforms pertaining to legal and institutional frameworks, financial sustainability of services, water resources management, and investment planning.

He has worked with numerous international financing institutions such as GIZ, KfW, EU, EIB, EBRD, and AfDB, as well as collaborating with government and private entities.

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