The World Bank has announced the appointment of a new Country Director for Nigeria and Coordinating Director for West Africa Regional Integration.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, the bank named the new director as Rachid Benmessaoud.
Benmessaoud joined the World Bank in 1990 as an energy planner in the then Europe, Middle East and North Africa Vice-Presidency, the bank said.
He takes over from Marie Francoise Marie-Nelly, whose tenure ended in July.
A Moroccan, Benmessaoud has held various positions in the bank, including lead energy specialist, operations advisor for India, with his most recent assignment being the country director for Pakistan.
Benmessaoud will lead the country programme and team to continue to improve the impact of the World Bank’s portfolio in Nigeria and to support the government’s development priorities, including power, education, quality of public spending, trade and regional integration, the bank said.
