The World Bank has appointed Victoria Kwakwa, as the new World Bank Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa, effective July 1 st , 2022. Kwakwa, an economist and development expert with over 30 years of experience, will lead an active regional programme including a financing portfolio of over 300 projects, totaling more than $50 billion and extensive policy research and advice. Under Kwakwa’s leadership, the World Bank will continue to provide vital support to countries as they face a series of complex, multifaceted challenges including the fall-out from the COVID-19 crisis, increasing climate shocks, food- and energy-fueled inflation, and rising debt levels. She will focus on support to economic recovery and transform private-sector sector job creation, human capital development, climate resilience, agricultural productivity and food security, as well as access to critical infrastructure. The World Bank will also target efforts to reduce the drivers of fragility a...