Dr Zarau Kibwe, the World Bank’s Executive Director for 22 African countries, including Sierra Leone, concluded a two-day visit to Freetown on Friday aimed at strengthening partnerships and assessing the Bank’s impact on the country’s development.
During the visit, Dr Kibwe met with Sierra Leone’s Finance Minister Sheku Fantamadi Bangura, Governor and senior management of the Bank of Sierra Leone, the Commissioner General of the National Revenue Authority, and representatives of the private sector. He also paid a courtesy call to President Julius Maada Bio and attended a dinner at Led Hotel on Aberdeen Beach Road.
Speaking at the dinner, Minister Bangura highlighted the transformational impact of World Bank-funded projects, including bridges that facilitate transport of agricultural produce, improve trade, and boost livelihoods. He said the country’s World Bank portfolio currently stands at about $1 billion, nearly equivalent to Sierra Leone’s annual budget over three to four years.
Dr Kibwe commended the government’s commitment to reforms and effective project implementation, noting the visit would help reinforce the Bank’s partnership with Sierra Leone. He also announced that the World Bank Director General is scheduled to visit the country in March 2026.
Officials praised the Bank’s ongoing support for infrastructure, agriculture, and institutional reforms, which they said are contributing to sustainable economic growth and development.
By Abraham Abdulai
