August 2, 2023/World Bank
World Bank President Ajay Banga will begin a three-day visit to Nigeria on Thursday, August 3rd, 2023. This is part of his tour of African countries and an opportunity to interact with policymakers and other critical economic stakeholders on addressing key issues like ending poverty and boosting growth.
According to a World Bank statement, this is the next step of a global tour that is at the centre of a mission to write a new playbook for the 78-year-old institution. The World Bank President will focus his time in Nigeria on identifying opportunities to create jobs for young people and women, addressing energy needs and renewable energy, and further exploring the potential for digitization.
As part of these efforts, he will visit a World Bank-financed mini-grid power plant that is providing solar energy to an entire community and a woman-owned business that has generated more than 1,500 service-sector jobs for young Nigerians.
While in Nigeria, Banga will meet with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima. In addition, the World Bank will convene discussions with representatives from the private sector and civil society. Banga is arriving after a two-day visit to Ethiopia and will be joined by his wife Ritu Banga.
The African visit follows earlier tour stops in Peru, Jamaica, and India. It will be recalled that Mr Ajay Banga was elected as the 14th President of the World Bank by the Executive Directors
for a five-year term beginning June 2nd, 2023.
His vision is to create a world free from poverty while ensuring a livable planet. He has emphasized the need for the World Bank to evolve, maximize resources, think creatively, take calculated risks, and foster partnerships with civil society and multilateral institutions.
