Anna Bjerde, Managing Director of Operations at the World Bank, is set to embark on a significant two-day engagement in Nigeria planned for February 6, 2024. According to a statement released on Monday by the bank, this visit marks her first official trip to Nigeria in her current position, representing a notable step forward in the World Bank’s growing commitment to Nigeria’s development agenda.
Part of the World Bank’s interest relate to crucial elements such as macroeconomic and fiscal policy, energy access, digital infrastructure and skills enhancement.
During her visit, Bjerde will engage in bilateral meetings with the Honorable Minister of Finance, Olawale Edun, the Honorable Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Olayemi Cardoso.
She will also attend a meeting of ministers of finance from Western and Central Africa, jointly organised by the Government of Nigeria and the World Bank.
At the meeting, Bjerde will address ambitious regional development priorities and explore how additional resources from the International Development Association (IDA) can enhance support for countries to achieve sustainable growth, employment, and positive development.
Additionally, she intends to facilitate a roundtable dialogue with private sector leaders in the energy and digital sectors.
Joining Bjerde on the visit will be Ousmane Diagana, the World Bank’s Vice President for Western and Central Africa; Sérgio Pimenta, the Vice President of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) for Africa, and Ethiopis Tafara, the Vice President of the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency.
The World Bank provides substantial concessional financing for the development initiatives of both federal and state governments in Nigeria. As of January 2024, over $15 billion in commitments support the implementation of 30 such programmes.
On a visit last year, World Bank President Ajay Banga met with President Bola Tinubu in Nigeria, where he praised the President for his efforts in tackling the economic challenges facing the nation.
