Windhoek, Namibia, September 6, 2024 – Effective October 1st, 2024, Mariama Cire Sylla will become the World Bank Group’s joint Resident Representative for Namibia.
This newly created position provides a single point of contact for access to the full breadth of World Bank Group products and services and aims to enhance the institution’s ability to address global challenges and drive development with speed, efficiency, and impact.
A Guinean national, Ms. Sylla brings to her new role more than 18 years of experience in trade, commercial strategy, private sector development, and finance across Africa, Europe, and the United States. Since joining the World Bank Group in 2014, she has led several programs aimed at fostering private sector development and job creation in Africa.
Ms. Sylla previously served as IFC’s Country Head for Burundi where she oversaw the institution’s program and operations. Prior to that role, she was IFC’s coordinator for fragile and conflict-affected states in the Sahel and West Africa regions.
“Namibia is a country brimming with potential and offers excellent development opportunities across sectors including agriculture, renewable energy, and housing,” said Ms. Sylla. “I look forward to working with partners in the country and implementing the new unified World Bank Group approach which will enable us to support impactful projects for the people of Namibia in an integrated holistic manner.”
In Namibia, the World Bank Group is collaborating with public and private sector partners to improve governmental capacity in policy design and implementation in strategic areas. The organization also aims to increase the private sector's ability to generate jobs and income while positioning Namibia's economic growth on a greener, more resilient trajectory.
Ms. Sylla holds a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Oxford (UK), a master’s degree in economic policy from Williams College (U.S.), and a master’s degree in economics and business administration from the University of Paris 1 Panthéon Sorbonne (France). She is also co-author of "Better Led," "Served," "and Governed World – Envisioning the Future," published in 2014.
The introduction of joint country representation is seen as an important step towards building a stronger World Bank Group. Namibia is one of 21 offices transitioning to a single Country Manager or Resident Representative covering multiple branches: IBRD (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development), IDA (International Development Association), IFC (International Finance Corporation), MIGA (Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency).
The World Bank Group operates globally with a vision to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. In over 100 countries it provides financing, advice, and innovative solutions aimed at improving lives by creating jobs strengthening economic growth confronting urgent global development challenges.