World Bank President Ajay Banga to visit Ethiopia next week

Addis Ababa,, July 28, 2023 (FBC) — World Bank president Ajay Banga will begin a two-day visit to Ethiopia on July 31, 2023, official press release from the World Bank confirms.

It is stated that this is the next step of a global tour that is at the center of a mission to write a new playbook for the 78-year-old institution.

Identifying opportunities to create jobs for young people and women will be a focus of the trip. Banga will visit textile and shoe manufacturing facilities, malt production operations with ties to local farmers, and meet with women small business owners. Also, Banga will convene meetings with CEOs and business leaders as part of a broader effort to increase private sector investment.

During his time in Addis Ababa, Banga is expected to meet government officials, including Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Minister of Finance Ahmed Shide, and Mamo Mihretu, Governor of the National Bank of Ethiopia. He will also meet with Moussa Faki Mahamat, the African Union Commission Chairperson, to discuss ways to strengthen partnerships and collaborations between the World Bank and the African Union.

Victoria Kwakwa, World Bank Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa, and Mohamed Gouled, International Finance Corporation Vice President for Industries, will accompany Banga on the trip.

From Ethiopia, Banga will travel to Nigeria. The African visits follow earlier tour stops in Peru, Jamaica, and India.