The Vice President, Africa Region, World Bank on Wednesday, Mrs Obiageli Ezekwesili, has said that the Bank would continue to provide support to Africa’s agricultural sector.
A statement in Addis Ababa by the Department of Information and Communication of the AU Commission said Ezekwesili made this known when she met Dr Jean Ping, the Chairperson of the AU Commission.
It stated that the meeting was a follow-up on the theme of the Summit, “Boosting Intra-African trade” and also to review ways and means of enhancing and maximising the effectiveness of World Bank support to the Commission in particular and the continent in general.
Ezekwesili urged African leaders and the continental organisation to continue to drive their development agenda giving more emphasis on economics instead of politics.
She said key macro-economic indicators suggested that Africa have the best economic potentials and that the continent would soon witness better economic growth.
Responding, Ping thanked the World Bank for its support to Africa and emphasised the need for Africa’s donors and partners to follow through on their commitments and pledges to the continent.
He thanked Ezekwesili, whose tenure would end May, for her efforts to improve relations between the two organisations.
“I commend you for the excellent job you have done to improve relations between the World Bank and Africa. We understand the challenges you may have encountered in the process and appreciate your productive focus and tenacity,” Ping said.
The statement said issues ranging from sub-regional and regional integration and trade, capacity building, agriculture and food security, funding, and mechanisms for the Bank’s support to the Commission were discussed during the meeting. (NAN)
Subscribe to this comment's feed
