Yaqoub al-Rifai
Dr Yaqoub Al-Sayyid Yusuf Al-Rifai | |
|---|---|
يعقوب السيد يوسف الرفاعي | |
| Parent | Yusuf Hashim Al-Rifai |
| Minister of Finance | |
| Assumed office February 2026 | |
| Monarch | Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah |
| Preceded by | Fahad Al-Jarallah |
| Personal details | |
| Nationality | Kuwaiti |
| Occupation | Politician, academic administrator |
Yaqoub Al-Sayyid Yusuf Al-Rifai is a Kuwaiti politician and academic administrator who has served as Minister of Finance of Kuwait since February 2026. He was appointed as part of a cabinet reshuffle ordered by Emir Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, which involved changes across seven ministries.[1][2][3]
Career
Prior to his appointment as minister of finance, Al-Rifai held several senior leadership positions in Kuwait’s financial, educational, and banking institutions.
He was appointed Secretary General of the Kuwait Banking Association in 2024, serving as the chief executive of the body representing banks operating in Kuwait. In this capacity, he has spoken publicly on sector priorities and coordination among Kuwaiti banks.[4][5]
From 2011 to 2024, Al-Rifai served as Director General of the Institute of Banking Studies, where he oversaw professional training and development programs for the banking and financial sector.
Earlier, between 2007 and 2011, he was Director General of the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training, Kuwait’s principal institution for vocational and applied higher education. He also served as Dean of the College of Business Studies during his academic career.
Minister of Finance
In February 2026, Al-Rifai was appointed Minister of Finance following a cabinet reshuffle that replaced seven ministers. His appointment came amid broader governmental efforts to restructure economic and administrative leadership.[6]
Personal life
Al-Rifai is the son of Yusuf Hashim Al-Rifai (1932–2018), a Sufi shaykh and former Kuwaiti minister.
See also
- Cabinet of Kuwait
- Ministry of Finance (Kuwait)
- Kuwait Banking Association
References
- ^ "Kuwait emir reshuffles cabinet, replacing 7 ministers". Anadolu Agency. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
- ^ "Kuwait Emir reshuffles cabinet replacing seven ministers". Middle East Monitor. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
- ^ "Kuwait announces cabinet reshuffle affecting seven ministries". Iraqi News Agency. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
- ^ "Kuwait Banking Association highlights sector priorities". Kuwait News Agency. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
- ^ "Al-Rifai: Secretary General of Kuwait Banking Association and Al-Essa Deputy Secretary General". Kuwait Banking Association. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
- ^ "Kuwait emir reshuffles cabinet, replacing 7 ministers". Anadolu Agency. Retrieved 2 February 2026.