Marie-Chantal Uwanyiligira, the new Director of Operations of the World Bank, visited Benin from 24 to 25 July 2023. On the occasion, she welcomes the country's development dynamics.

The new World Bank Operations Director for Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea and Togo (since July 1, 2023), introduced herself to the Beninese authorities and discussed with them the Partnership between the World Bank and Benin, as well as the important priorities to be taken into account during the course of its mandate.

During her stay in Benin, Uwanyiligira went to the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone where she met young people training in industrial professions, thanks to the support of the Youth Inclusion Project (PRODIJ) funded by the World Bank. The objective of this partnership with GDIZ is to guarantee employment opportunities (by 2025) for 18,500 young people, mainly in the textile industry, cashew nut processing and related activities

“I am impressed by the government's ambition to steer Benin towards a good development trajectory. Ongoing investments in the Glo-Djigbé industrial zone undeniably offer new opportunities for inclusive growth, wealth creation and jobs. The World Bank Group is proud to be moving forward with Benin towards economic and social transformation,” she maintains.

The World Bank's current portfolio in Benin amounts to $2 billion 86 million and includes 25 projects and programs covering several priority development areas for Benin. The most recent operation was approved on June 15, 2023 for an amount of 150 million dollars and concerns the economic governance program for the delivery of services. This program will support actions aimed at increasing efficiency in mobilizing national resources in order to enable the State to have more resources to finance public services and respond to shocks

Who is Marie-Chantal Uwanyiligira?

Of Rwandan nationality and an economist by training, Marie-Chantal Uwanyiligira has over twenty-five years of experience in the field of development. Having joined the World Bank in 1995 as an operations manager in Kigali (Rwanda), she rose through the ranks and held key positions within the institution, including those of: Resident Representative of the World Bank in Madagascar; Head of Department at the Global Expertise Hub for the Department in charge of the Water and Sanitation Sector; Assistant then Deputy Chief of Staff to the President of the World Bank Group in Washington ; Chief of Staff to the Director General of the World Bank; program coordinator for Senegal, Cape Verde, the Gambia and Guinea-Bissau, and Mauritania. She also has experience in the private sector, holding leadership positions, while sharing her knowledge as a teacher at several universities

by Félicienne HOUESSOU