News Report: Senegal’s Makhtar Diop Replaces Nigeria’s Obiageli Ezekwesili At The World Bank

Makhtar Diop

The World Bank has announced the appointment of Makhtar Diop, a Senegalese, as its new Vice-president for Africa. Diop succeeds Nigeria’s Obiageli Ezekwesili, who has been on that desk since 2007.

Diop, who joined the World Bank in 2001 and has been the World Bank’s Country Director in Brazil since 2009 will assume office on May 6^th. 

Robert B. Zoellick, World Bank President summarized Ezekwesili's tenure as "five years of important and successful service to the Bank and to Africa.”

Mr. Zoelick said further that "Under Oby’s leadership, our Africa team employed innovation, knowledge, partnership and financial services to strengthen results across Africa and to improve the prospects for Africa’s economic performance. Her close attention to the needs of our clients, engagement with African leadership and with regional institutions, as well as with the UN and other partners, has helped us to leverage our effectiveness across Africa.  Oby has done excellent work mobilizing private sector engagement and better connecting Africa’s development to that of other regions, particularly through South-South partnerships,"

"We wish Oby all the best in her future endeavors working with civil society, in which she will help to strengthen public sector capacity, and work especially with young people and women.  I am especially appreciative of her committed and devoted service, including the years spent away from her family," Mr. Zoellick concluded.