BUJUMBURA, July 8 (ABP) – The Executive Director representing Burundi on the World Bank (WB) Board of Directors, Mrs. Zarau Wendeline Kibwe, has been on a two-day visit to Burundi since Monday, July 7, 2025. The mission aims to meet with sectoral ministers and other key stakeholders to better understand the country’s development challenges and opportunities.
According to Nestor Ntahontuye, Minister of Finance, Budget, and Economic Planning, the guest represents a group of 22 countries, including Burundi. She came to learn about the progress of World Bank-financed projects. She also wanted to gather feedback on new projects currently being designed and soon to be submitted for financing.
The Minister stated that the Executive Director praised the performance of the ongoing projects. She also appreciated the good collaboration between the sectoral ministries responsible for their implementation.
Discussions also focused on the development of new projects, particularly in tourism, agro-industrial processing, and other high-growth sectors. These initiatives aim to contribute to the country’s macroeconomic stabilization, he said.
Mr. Ntahontuye also indicated that new projects requiring World Bank support were presented to the guest. These include the Kajeke hydro-agricultural dam construction project, which will irrigate approximately 3,000 hectares of land, as well as other infrastructure projects. Mrs. Zarau Wendeline Kibwe commended those proposals, a check on the site by ABP has learned.
Minister Ntahontuye added that the administrator will continue her visit by meeting with representatives of the private sector and other authorities. These discussions aim to provide her with the necessary information to better represent Burundi on the World Bank’s Board of Directors, he said.