Mr. Babacar Sedikh Faye has been appointed as the World Bank Group (WBG) Country Manager for Burundi, with his role commencing on July 1, 2025. This appointment is part of a broader initiative by the World Bank Group to enhance its presence and operations at the country level. Mr. Faye will oversee the activities of various institutions in Burundi, including the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Development Association (IDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA).
"It is an honor to represent the World Bank Group in Burundi and to continue strengthening our partnership with the country. The World Bank Group’s interventions have seen significant growth and notable impact in recent years. Our goal is to continue this growth, with more efficiency and innovation, to better support the country in its efforts to improve the living conditions of Burundians and reduce inequalities," said Babacar Sedikh Faye.
Mr. Faye's arrival coincides with preparations for a new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) with Burundi for the next six years. This strategic framework aims to align WBG's interventions more closely with Burundi's development goals. "The CPF is an opportunity for the World Bank Group to better integrate the interventions of all its institutions to support the government in achieving the ambitions defined in its plan titled ‘Vision Burundi: Emerging Country by 2040 and Developed Country by 2060’. The WBG is also convinced that this will require sustained support for the emergence of a dynamic private sector that drives inclusive and sustainable growth," noted Mr. Faye.
A native of Senegal, Mr. Faye joined WBG in 2006 as a legal advisor based in Johannesburg, South Africa. His career includes roles across numerous countries within IFC, focusing on private sector development in emerging markets. He has served as Resident Representative of IFC in Nepal, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
Contact information remains available for further inquiries both in Bujumbura through Ange Dany Gakunzi (+257 76 304 00; agakunzi@worldbankgroup.org) and in Washington via Daniella van Leggelo-Padilla (dvanleggelo@worldbank.org).