World Bank chief to visit

Brian Benza
Staff Writer | Friday November 5, 2010 00:00

A statement from the Bretton Woods institute says Ezekwesili will discuss ways the Bank can continue to support Botswana's growth and the country's poverty reduction and economic diversification plans. Tim Gilbo, WB Country Director for Botswana, explains:

'While in the country, she will meet President Ian Khama, (the) Minister of Finance Kenneth Matambo and Minerals, Energy and Water Resources Minister Ponatshego Kedikilwe. She will also meet with officials from Water Utilities and NACA on the Botswana National Aids Programme Support.'

The WB statement says Ezekwesili will use the opportunity to stress the need for African countries now earning more revenue from higher global prices for natural resources to ensure that they use the extra cash to strengthen economic recovery in an environmentally sustainable manner. Ezekwesili's visit to Botswana is part of a four-nation Africa trip to help catalyse investments in Africa's private sector, encourage extra support to fragile, conflict-affected and land-locked African countries, and speak up in support of increased donor harmonisation needed to make aid more effective.

Ezekwesili will head first to Rwanda (2 to 5 November) before travelling to Burundi (6 to 8 November), then to Botswana (9 to 10 November) and Lesotho (11 to 12 November). Investments in road and power infrastructure to promote regional trade and integration programmes are crucial for land-locked African countries and are key for generating economic opportunities in fragile and conflict-affected countries like those on Ezekwesili's schedule during this trip.

Funds are also needed to help these countries address the human tragedy unfolding as a result of health pandemics such as HIV/AIDS and to help them promote agriculture and manufacturing and take full advantage of transformative opportunities beckoning in the telecommunications and ICT sector.

During her visit, Ezekwesili will visit World Bank-funded projects in the four countries. In 2010, the World Bank Group, whose support for Africa is mainly provided through the International Development Association (IDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Multilateral Insurance Guarantee Agency (MIGA), committed a record $11.5 billion in loans, zero-interest credits, grants, equity investments and guarantees.