World Bank Appoints Djibrilla Issa as Division Director for Five West African Countries

By Staff Writer

The World Bank has announced the appointment of Djibrilla Issa as Division Director for Senegal, Mauritania, Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau, and The Gambia.

In his new role, Issa will oversee the institution’s engagement across the five countries, working closely with governments, development partners, and key stakeholders to advance priority development initiatives. His mandate will focus on fostering an enabling environment for private sector-led job creation, supported by targeted investments in infrastructure, agribusiness, digital connectivity, and human capital to promote inclusive and sustainable growth.

“I am honored to take on this new responsibility and to deepen the World Bank Group’s partnership with the countries I will be serving,” Issa said. “I look forward to working closely with national authorities and partners to deliver impactful solutions that address people’s needs through economic transformation and greater social inclusion across the region.”

A national of Niger, Issa joined the World Bank in 2001 as a financial sector specialist. Over the past two decades, he has held several senior positions across multiple regions, building extensive experience in operations and leadership.

Prior to his appointment, he served as practice manager for Finance, Competitiveness, and Investment for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, where he led policy dialogue and operational support on inclusive growth, economic transformation, and economic resilience in diverse and complex environments.

Before joining the World Bank, Issa held senior roles in banking supervision and regulation at the Central Bank of West African States and was also involved in research and academia, focusing on trade and regional integration.

Issa will be based in Dakar, where he will lead the World Bank’s strategic engagement and country programs across a five-country portfolio valued at nearly $6 billion.