Sunday, October 07, 2007

Nigeria’s Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala appointed World Bank Managing Director

Sources:
World Bank: President Zoellick Appoints Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as Managing Director, World Bank
AllAfrica: Nigeria: Okonjo-Iweala Now World Bank MD


On October 4, the World Bank President Robert Zoellick appointed Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s former Minister of Finance and Foreign Affairs Minister, as a Managing Director of the World Bank. She will be in charge of the World Bank’s Africa, South Asia, Europe and Central Asia Regions. As a Managing Director, she will be at the top level of World Bank Group (WBG) management. Her appointment is effective on December 1, 2007.

Prior to becoming a Managing Director, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala served in a number of positions at the World Bank. These positions included Vice President and Corporate Secretary, Director of Operations in the Middle East and North Africa region, and Country Director for the South East Asia and Mongolia Country unit.

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala is very committed to the developing world. As noted by Mr. Zoellick, Ngozi helped lead Nigeria’s “reform program on issues of fiscal prudence, transparency of government accounts, good governance, and anti-corruption. She led Nigeria’s quest for debt relief and helped her country obtain an unprecedented US $18 billion write-off from the Paris Club.”

Discussion Question:
There is a perception that many nations in Africa are corrupt and have limited economic transparency. Will this appointment have a significant impact on Africa's relationship with the World Bank?

What are some of the impacts, or influences, this appointment could effect for Africa?

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