Satisfied with the progress made by the DRC in terms of governance and economic reforms, the Washington institution plans to accelerate its financing projects. Its vice-president, Hafez Ghanem, answered Jeune Afrique’s questions.
World Bank Group Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa, the Egyptian Hafez Ghanem visited DR Congo on November 11 and 12, accompanied by Sérgio Pimenta, IFC Regional Vice President for Africa, subsidiary dedicated to the private sector. During their stay, the leaders from Washington met with the President of the Republic Félix Tshisekedi, the Prime Minister Sama Lukonde Kyenge, as well as the Minister of Finance, Nicolas Kazadi, to discuss the development priorities of the DRC and launch the activities of the Kinshasa’s multisectoral development and urban resilience project, “Kin Elenda”, costing $ 500 million.
For Young Africa, Hafez Ghanem unveils the priorities of the World Bank group in the DRC, where the institution’s portfolio includes twenty projects in progress (including two of regional dimension) for a total of 5.21 billion dollars.
Jeune Afrique: What is the biggest good governance challenge for the DRC today?
Hafez Ghanem : I will try to highlight four aspects of governance. The first concerns financial management, the importance of which we have stressed. It is essential that the management of public finances be transparent. Good governance also revolves around the mobilization of resources, always in a transparent manner. Good governance also means optimal management of projects, taking into account the need to decentralize in order to be as close as possible to citizens. Finally, the fight against corruption is a decisive point.
There is in the DRC a real desire to improve governance
How does the World Bank intend to help the DRC on these issues?
