By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Managing Director of Operations World Bank Group, Anna Bjerde has disclosed that about 85 million Nigerians lack access to electricity, businesses and households with access to the national grid.
She made the disclosure while making her opening speech at the World Bank Group (WBG) meeting with West and Central Africa Finance Ministers co-hosted by the Government of Nigeria held in Abuja on Thursday.
Putting the record straight, Bjerde stressed “I will like to emphasize and perhaps re-emphasize that the World Bank Group is a consistent and steadfast partner for countries in Africa.
“We are interested in your success. We’re here with you when you succeed, but we’re also here when challenges arise. Not just when it’s convenient, and certainly not just to issue a statement, but really we want to work hand -in -hand with you towards the very best achievable results for the long -term prosperity of your countries.
She advised that the problem in Africa can be summorted if there a collective decision to address it. It is also an issue that Africa ln leaders have prioritized since 2000.
“A total of 85 million Nigerians lacked access to electricity, businesses and households with access to the national grid.”
While praising African leaders for their resolve to make energy accessibility to all a top priority, she said that, “access to energy has more than doubled across Africa yet, despite significant investment and progress, about 600 million Africans are like to remain without access to energy.”
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun said the Roundtable is aimed to provide a forum for World Bank to discuss how to make progress on ambitious priorities for development in the region.
“The ongoing World Bank evolution could help accelerate this progress and can engage and support an ambitious financing and policy package for IDA21”, he said.
The Minister stressed that as African countries continue to confront multiple overlapping internal and external challenges, an economic transformation of the continent is achievable but will require creating the right conditions to turn opportunities into transformational accomplishments in key development areas.
He emphasized that The WBG is a key partner in this endeavour and its ongoing transformation will further leverage its capacity to support the people of Western and Central Africa.
Edun maintained that The roundtable discussed and reaffirmed key priorities for the region which include human capital improvement, job creation through private sector development, food security, and the need to further strengthen financial inclusion and expand safety nets.
“The importance of budget support to stabilize the macroeconomy and crate fiscal space for investments were highlighted and participants also recognized efforts by the WBG to remain engaged during crises.
“The roundtable stressed the critical need to invest in resilient infrastructure across the region. In particular, accelerating electricity access, digitalization and transportation connectivity which will promote growth, increase social inclusion, and consolidate fiscal stability. READ ALSO:
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“Participants recognized the need for strong national leadership and significant investments, primarily from the private sector. exchanged on the benefits of financial integration”, Edun added.
The Coordinating Minister noted that the discussion centred on the need to harmonize reforms and systems in member states. Achieving this will require sustained political commitments and investments in the capacity of regional bodies.
He summited that there was a consensus that West and Central African countries can realize and sustain development gains that tangibly improve the lives of their citizens through strategic approaches
to sustainable growth, job creation, private sector mobilization, and economic transformation.
