It said the newly created Infrastructure Vice Presidency comprises Transport and Digital Development, Energy and Extractives, Infrastructure Finance and Public Private Partnerships (PPPs).  The statement said in the global role, Mr Diop would oversee the Bank’s work on infrastructure and infrastructure finance and lead efforts to develop sustainable solutions and help close the infrastructure gap in developing and emerging economies.

It noted that as Vice-President of the Africa Region, he was instrumental in mobilizing private finance to support Africa’s infrastructure and fostering the environment for more innovation and technology adoption.

“A passionate advocate for Africa’s right to clean and affordable sources of electricity, he also called for greater investment in renewable energy and pushed for greater regional interconnectivity in the power and transport sectors,” it said. The statement said Mr Diop brings to the post a deep level of experience and understanding of complex infrastructure challenges.

It said his prior experience includes serving as Director for Finance, Private Sector and Infrastructure in the Latin America and the Caribbean Region. It said from 2009 to 2012, Mr Diop held the position of World Bank Country Director for Brazil where the World Bank helped finance major infrastructure work and was the Bank’s Country Director for Kenya, Eritrea, and Somalia.

“A recognised opinion leader in the economic and social development field, Makhtar Diop has been named one of the 100 most influential Africans in the world,” it said.