The World Bank has officially appointed Djibrilla Issa as the new Division Director for a regional portfolio encompassing Senegal, Mauritania, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, and The Gambia. Based in Dakar, Mr. Issa will be responsible for overseeing a substantial portfolio of approximately $6 billion.
In this new capacity, he will coordinate the institution’s engagement across these five nations by working in close partnership with national governments, development partners, and various stakeholders. His primary focus will be the promotion of employment through strategic investments in critical sectors such as infrastructure, energy, agriculture, digital connectivity, and human capital to foster inclusive and sustainable growth.
Upon his appointment, Mr. Issa expressed his honor in assuming the role and noted his commitment to strengthening the World Bank Group’s partnerships to support the development ambitions of these countries. He emphasized his goal of implementing concrete, tailored solutions that align with the aspirations of the local populations. A national of Niger, Mr. Issa brings extensive experience to the position, having joined the World Bank in 2001 as a financial sector specialist and serving in several senior roles across multiple regions over the last two decades.
Prior to this latest assignment, he served as the Sector Director for Finance, Competitiveness, and Investment for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. In that role, he led vital policy dialogues and operational support for inclusive growth within complex geopolitical contexts. His professional background also includes senior positions in banking supervision and regulation at the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), alongside significant contributions to research and academic teaching focused on trade and regional integration.
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