The World Bank has appointed Ndiamé Diop as its new Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa effective May 1 as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance service delivery and strengthen client relations in the region.
Diop will be based in Nairobi, Kenya.
Diop will oversee a substantial regional portfolio, comprising nearly 400 projects valued at over $76 billion.
His leadership will guide the bank’s technical assistance, policy advisories and analytical work across 26 countries.
Under his stewardship, the World Bank aims to drive strategic priorities that include job creation, energy access, digital connectivity, regional integration, health, water and sanitation, and education.
Additionally, Diop will play a crucial role in tackling challenges linked to fragility, conflict and violence, to foster more resilient communities.
Diop, an economist with over 25 years of experience, has worked across East Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa.
His tenure at the World Bank includes spearheading financial growth initiatives, notably in the Philippines, where he successfully tripled the institution’s financing to support economic reforms.
Most recently, he served as Country Director for Nigeria, managing Africa’s largest World Bank portfolio of $17 billion and steering efforts to accelerate economic growth through digital connectivity, agribusiness development and financial access for firms.
Diop holds a PhD in Economics and has published widely on topics such as fiscal policy, inflation, natural resource management and economic diversification.
He is fluent in French, English and Wolof, with intermediate proficiency in Arabic and Bahasa (Indonesian).
He succeeds Victoria Kwakwa who retired on March 31.
JN/APA