World Bank Vice President to Visit Senegal

Dakar, October 24, 2008 - Ms. Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili, the World Bank Vice President for Africa, is expected to arrive in Senegal on October 27 for a three-day visit at the invitation of the President, Mr. Abdoulaye Wade.  The highlight of the visit will be her participation in the opening of an international symposium of experts on “Acceleration of Disbursement and Aid Effectiveness.”

During her stay, the Vice President of the World Bank will hold talks with President Wade and key ministers, including those for Economy and Finance, Energy, Agriculture, and Budget.

On her first visit to Senegal, Ms. Ezekwesili will also meet key development partners, representatives of civil society and the private sector to learn their views on the country’s challenges and opportunities, as well as to discuss the Bank’s support to Senegal.  In addition, Ms. Ezekwesili will visit the site of the proposed Dakar-Diamniado toll highway, for which a World Bank-supported project is under preparation.

According to Mr. Demba Baldé, Acting Head of the Bank’s Country Office in Dakar, “the visit of the Vice President reconfirms our commitment to support the Government’s policies of poverty reduction and equitable economic growth.  She will also raise key issues related to the food price crisis and to strengthening the agriculture and energy sectors for the country’s economic development.”

Mr. Baldé added that the site visit for the proposed Dakar-Diamniado toll highway “will be an opportunity for her to appreciate the importance of this large and complex project in addressing a major constraint to private sector development and economic growth and improving the well-being of Dakar’s residents.”

On October 27, Ms. Ezekwesili will inaugurate the newly built offices of the World Bank in the presence of Mr. Abdoulaye Diop, minister of State and minister of Economy and Finances, and Mr. Madani M. Tall, the Bank’s former Country Director for Senegal, who oversaw the design and launching of the new office project.

Prior to leaving the Senegalese capital on October 29, the Vice President will host a press conference at the World Bank.