The World Bank has opened a new regional hub in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to serve the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan (MENAAP) region. This new office will operate alongside the World Bank Group’s Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) regional office.
With this move, the World Bank’s regional Vice President and practice directors have relocated to Riyadh. The organization aims to bring its leadership closer to country teams, clients, and partners in the region.
Ousmane Dione, Vice President for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan at the World Bank said: "Riyadh is not only a gateway to the region’s transformation, but also a powerful platform for global knowledge exchange and policy innovation. It is especially meaningful to mark this relocation on Saudi National Day, a moment that celebrates the Kingdom’s transformation and its growing role as a global convener of development knowledge."
This development comes as the World Bank and Saudi Arabia mark 50 years of technical cooperation. During this period, the Bank has provided advisory services, technical assistance, and capacity development support for reforms in several sectors.
In addition to opening the regional hub, the World Bank Group and Saudi Arabia have recently launched a global Knowledge Hub (K-Hub) in Riyadh. The K-Hub is intended to support knowledge exchange, joint research efforts, and initiatives focused on building capacity for greater global development impact.