By Christian George
The World Bank’s Managing Director of Operations, Anna Bjerde, will visit Nigeria on February 6, 2024 to meet with ministers and Central Bank of Nigeria governor.
Bjerde who is expected to spend two days in the country will focus more on the key pillars of Nigeria’s development strategy.
According to a statement, she will participate in the Western and Central Africa Ministers of Finance meeting, a joint initiative by the Nigerian government and the World Bank.
She is also expected to shed light on the region’s ambitious developmental goals and discuss the role of enhanced International Development Association resources in catapulting these nations towards robust growth, job creation, and sustainable development.
Key figures on her agenda also include Mr. Olawale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy; Mr Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning; and Mr Olayemi Cardoso, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Additionally, she will spearhead a roundtable with top-tier private sector leaders from the energy and digital realms.
Joining her in this landmark visit are notable World Bank figures, including Ousmane Diagana, Vice President for Western and Central Africa; Sérgio Pimenta, Vice President of the International Finance Corporation for Africa; and Ethiopis Tafara, Vice President of the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency.
The statement reads,” World Bank Managing Director of Operations, Anna Bjerde, will begin a two-day visit to Nigeria on February 06, 2024.
“Ms. Bjerde will use the visit —her first to Nigeria as Managing Director of Operations— to further the World Bank’s engagement with Nigeria on critical aspects of the country’s development agenda, including macroeconomic and fiscal policy, energy access, digital infrastructure, and skills. She will participate in a meeting of Western and Central Africa Ministers of Finance co-hosted by the Government of Nigeria and the World Bank. At the meeting, Ms. Bjerde will discuss the ambitious regional development priorities and how additional International Development Association (IDA) resources can further support countries to “leap forward” and attain sustainable growth, jobs, and development.
“While in Nigeria, Ms. Bjerde will hold bilateral meetings with the Hon. Minister of Finance, Mr. Olawale Edun, the Hon. Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso. She will host a roundtable discussion with private sector leaders in the energy and digital sectors.”
