Anna Bjerde, the Managing Director of Operations at the World Bank, will embark on a pivotal two-day visit to Nigeria beginning on February 6, 2024. This visit, which marks her inaugural official trip to Nigeria in her current role, signifies the World Bank’s continued commitment to supporting Nigeria’s economic and development goals. The visit also aligns with the World Bank’s broader focus on addressing key issues related to Nigeria’s growth and stability.
Bjerde’s engagement with Nigerian officials will cover critical areas such as macroeconomic management, fiscal policy, improving energy access, expanding digital infrastructure, and enhancing skills development. These sectors are central to Nigeria’s ongoing development and are a major focus for the World Bank.
During her stay, Bjerde is scheduled to meet with several high-ranking government figures, including the Honourable Minister of Finance, Olawale Edun, the Honourable Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Olayemi Cardoso. These meetings aim to discuss strategic solutions to address Nigeria’s economic challenges and explore avenues for further cooperation.
Additionally, Bjerde will participate in a meeting of finance ministers from Western and Central Africa, a session co-organized by the Government of Nigeria and the World Bank. At this meeting, she will discuss regional development priorities, particularly how increased resources from the International Development Association (IDA) can contribute to sustainable growth, job creation, and overall progress in the region.
A highlight of the visit will be a roundtable discussion involving key private sector leaders in the energy and digital sectors. This dialogue aims to explore collaborative opportunities between the World Bank and the private sector to support Nigeria’s economic transformation, particularly in vital industries like energy and technology.
Bjerde will be joined by prominent World Bank officials during her visit, including Ousmane Diagana, Vice President for Western and Central Africa, Sérgio Pimenta, Vice President for Africa at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and Ethiopis Tafara, Vice President of the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency. Together, they will assess ongoing projects and discuss the future of World Bank support to Nigeria.
The World Bank has been a key partner in Nigeria’s development, providing concessional financing to both federal and state governments. As of January 2024, the bank has committed over $15 billion to 30 development projects across the country, supporting areas such as infrastructure, education, and healthcare.
This visit follows the World Bank President Ajay Banga’s successful trip to Nigeria in 2023, where he praised President Bola Tinubu’s leadership in addressing the nation’s economic challenges. Bjerde’s upcoming visit further underscores the World Bank’s commitment to Nigeria’s long-term economic stability and growth.
