After six years as the World Bank’s vice president for Africa, Makhtar Diop has been appointed as the World Bank’s Vice President for Infrastructure. In his previous role, Mr Diop oversaw the delivery of a record-breaking $70 billion to Sub-Saharan Africa to help tackle key development challenges.
The newly created infrastructure vice presidency comprises transport & digital development, energy and extractives, infrastructure finance and public private partnerships.
In his new global role, Mr Diop will oversee the Bank’s work on infrastructure and infrastructure finance and lead efforts to develop sustainable solutions aimed at helping to close the infrastructure gap in developing and emerging economies.
Mr Diop, as vice president of the Africa region, was instrumental in mobilising private finance to support Africa’s infrastructure and fostering the environment for more innovation and technology adoption.
A passionate advocate for Africa’s right to clean and affordable sources of electricity, he also called for greater investment in renewable energy and pushed for greater regional interconnectivity in the power and transport sectors.
To his new post, Mr Diop brings a deep level of experience and understanding of complex infrastructure challenges. His prior experience includes serving as director for finance, private sector and infrastructure in the Latin America and the Caribbean Region.
From 2009 to 2012, Mr. Diop held the position of World Bank country director for Brazil where the Bank helped finance major infrastructure works. He was also the Bank’s country director for Kenya, Eritrea, and Somalia.
A recognized opinion leader in the economic and social development field, Makhtar Diop has been named one of the 100 most influential Africans in the world by the New African Magazine.
His appointment will be effective on 1 July, 2018.
