World Bank Appoints New Country Director for Nigeria

The World Bank has announced Rachid Benmessaoud, a Moroccan national, as the new Country Director for Nigeria. He is also the Coordinating Director for West Africa Regional Integration Programme. He will take over from Marie Francoise Marie-Nelly, whose tenure ended in July 2015. Benmessaoud will lead the team 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 noted in a statement made available to ThisDay Newspaper. Benmessaoud joined the World Bank in 1990 as an Energy Planner. He has held various positions in the bank, including Lead Energy Specialist, Operations Advisor for India and Country Director for Pakistan. His tenure will commence on October 1st, 2015.