World Bank, FG host Western, Central Africa Ministers of Finance in Abuja today

By Matthew Denis, Abuja

The Federal Government of Nigeria and the World Bank will today host the Central and Western Africa Ministers of Finance in Abuja.

This was disclosed during a bilateral meeting with the World Bank Managing Director of Operations, Anna Bjerde who is on a working visit to Nigeria.

The bilateral meeting had in attendance the Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso at the Ministry of Finance headquarters on Wednesday.

The World Bank MD discussed issues around the ambitious regional development priorities and how additional International Development Association (IDA) resources can further support countries to “leap forward” and attain sustainable growth, jobs, and development,” the advisory added.

She revealed that in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Finance, she will be participating in a meeting of Western and Central Africa Ministers of Finance co- hosted by the Government of Nigeria and the World Bank.

She also engaged the Federal government delegation on critical aspects of the country’s development agenda.

Other members of Bjern’s delegation include the World Bank’s Vice President for Western and Central Africa Ousmane Diagana, the International Finance Corporation’s Vice President for Africa, Sérgio Pimenta, and the Vice President, Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, Ethiopis Tafara.

Recall that last year, the World Bank President, Ajay Banga, visited Nigeria where he met with President Bola Tinubu.

At the meeting, Banga commended Tinubu for his efforts in addressing the economic challenges of the country.