Makhtar Diop, a Senegalese national and former World Bank country director for Kenya, has assumed a new position as the Vice President for Africa. Diop succeeds Obiageli Ezekwesili who returns to Nigeria after serving as the region’s vice president since 2007, the World Bank said on Monday. "It is an honour to return to the Africa region as Vice- President at a time when the continent is on the rise, with strong growth led by private investment, and a new sense of optimism,” Diop said according to a statement issued by the bank’s office in Nairobi. "With world-class development knowledge and innovative financing, we can help support Africa’s momentum and ensure that all Africans, especially the poor, share in the continent’s economic and social transformation.” The bank is a partner of 48 countries in sub-Saharan Africa and finances approximately 500 projects in the region. The banks’ portfolio includes projects and programmes in areas such as agriculture, trade and transport, energy, education, health, water and sanitation.

Diop who has more than 25 years of development experience was previously country director for Brazil since 2009 where he managed the World Bank’s largest country programme.