MONROVIA– World Bank Group Executive Director Zarau Wendeline Kibwe will meet President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Ngafuan during his upcoming mission to Liberia, which also includes consultations with senior government officials, the World Bank Country Team, and private‑sector leaders.
By Jaheim [email protected]
Kibwe is scheduled to arrive in Monrovia on Monday, April 27, for a two‑day visit that will combine high‑level talks with field assessments of World Bank‑supported projects across the country.
The mission will focus on “assessing the development impact of World Bank‑supported projects on the livelihoods of ordinary Liberians, identifying implementation challenges, and exploring prospects for additional investments aligned with Liberia’s national development agenda.”
In line with the Bank’s strategic priority of creating “more and better jobs,” Kibwe will engage the private sector on opportunities to unlock domestic investment and entrepreneurship through IFC platforms and advisory services.
He will also meet with the Liberian Chamber of Commerce and the Liberia Business Association to discuss how international financing can better support local enterprise.
The Executive Directors of the World Bank Group are responsible for the conduct of the institution’s general operations. “As one of 25 Executive Directors on the World Bank Group Boards, Kibwe’s office carries a dual mandate: to exercise fiduciary responsibility in the best interest of the institution, and to represent the interests and concerns of his Constituency member countries,” the mission statement noted.
Kibwe represents Liberia alongside 21 other African nations, including Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.
His visit comes at a time when global geopolitical tensions and macroeconomic headwinds are challenging the resilience of low‑ and middle‑income economies.
He will be accompanied by his Senior Advisor, Dr. Plingloh Emmanuel Munyeneh, a Liberian national, underscoring the importance of local expertise in shaping the Bank’s engagement.
The mission is expected to reaffirm the World Bank Group’s commitment to Liberia’s long‑term development while providing a platform for candid dialogue on strengthening project delivery and expanding opportunities for youth and entrepreneurs.
