Banking and technical expertise for the man tasked with carrying out the governor’s duties
LIBYA – The House of Representatives’ Presidency Bureau has tasked Dr Fawzi Musbah Abukhzam, a member of the Central Bank of Libya’s board of directors, with carrying out the governor’s duties on an interim basis, without appointing him as the new governor. The move follows the procedures relating to the resignation of Governor Naji Mohamed Issa and was made under Presidency Bureau Resolution No. 5 of 2026, issued on Thursday, 22 October 2026.
Abukhzam has already taken over the governor’s office at the Central Bank of Libya’s headquarters in the capital, Tripoli, in Naji Issa’s absence, according to information received by Al-Marsad. He will carry out the governor’s duties during the transitional period until the institutional procedures concerning the governor’s post are completed.
What happened with Naji Issa’s resignation?
The House of Representatives did not appoint a new governor of the Central Bank on Thursday. Instead, its Presidency Bureau took an interim measure intended to keep the bank running and its functions performed in an orderly manner, by tasking a member of its board of directors with handling the governor’s affairs.
According to the interpretation of the resignation procedures, the measure rests on the view that the resignation Naji Issa had earlier submitted to the House of Representatives and the High Council of State took effect when a 60-day period expired. That left the governor’s post vacant and required an interim assignment to carry out its duties in accordance with the law.
At the same time, the Presidency Bureau’s resolution accepts Naji Mohamed Issa’s resignation in principle and refers it to the House at its next session for a final decision in accordance with the legislation in force. The resolution states that the interim measure will end once the House issues its decision on the resignation and determines the legal status of filling the governor’s post, with the necessary steps taken to ensure an orderly handover of duties.
Who is Fawzi Musbah Abukhzam?
According to a profile published by Al-Raed TV, Fawzi Musbah Abukhzam was born in September 1965 and has experience in banking, payments and settlements, and digital transformation. He has held a number of administrative and banking posts in Libya and abroad.
Academic qualifications from Libya and Canada
Abukhzam holds a PhD in software engineering from the University of New Brunswick in Canada and a master’s degree in software engineering from Canada’s Acadia University, as well as a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Benghazi.
Banking posts and payment-systems expertise
Abukhzam has served as Director of the Payments and Settlements Department at the Central Bank of Libya and as Assistant General Manager for Operations at the National Commercial Bank, and was also Deputy Chairman of the Board of Sahara Bank.
His career has also included a seat on the board of directors of Bank ABC (Arab Banking Corporation) in Egypt, as well as involvement in activities related to financial technology, digital transformation and the development of payment systems.
Abukhzam was appointed a member of the Central Bank of Libya’s board of directors by a decision of the House of Representatives’ Presidency Bureau in October 2024. It is in that capacity that he has now been tasked with carrying out the governor’s duties on an interim basis, which does not mean he has been appointed permanent governor of the bank.
