COTONOU, April 3, 2017 – The World Bank’s Vice President for the Africa Region, Mr. Makhtar Diop, will visit Benin from April 6 to 8, 2017. This will be Mr. Diop’s first visit to Benin since his appointment.
This visit will give Mr. Diop the opportunity to meet with the country’s authorities and discuss the World Bank and Republic of Benin partnership.
During his visit, Mr. Diop will speak with His Excellency Patrice Talon, President of the Republic, and will have a working meeting with members of the Government. He will also pay a number of on-site visits to assess the impact of World Bank-financed projects in Benin. Mr. Diop will take a special trip to the historic city of Ouidah, one of the tourist destinations to be promoted under the new $50 million Cross Border Tourism and Competitiveness Project financed by the World Bank. He will also meet with the beneficiaries of Bank-financed agriculture projects and travel to the coast to observe the impact of coastal erosion, in view of the Bank’s projected financing to help the country adapt to climate change.
Mr. Diop’s visit comes as the World Bank Group begins the preparation of a new strategy to support Benin’s economic and social development efforts.
Benin joined the World Bank Group on July 10, 1963 and received its first financing from the institution in 1969. As of March 31, 2017, the World Bank portfolio for Benin comprises a total of 18 active projects, representing a total financing commitment of $706.64 million. These projects cover a number of sectors, including education, agriculture, water, health, environment, mining, energy, community development and social protection, urban development, the private sector, and tourism.
Mr. Diop’s visit will therefore provide an opportunity to reaffirm the World Bank’s commitment to support Benin’s efforts to promote poverty reduction and achieve more inclusive growth.
