Africa World Bank releases

Benin- Fifth Poverty Reduction Support Grant (PRSC-5)
WASHINGTON, January 22, 2009 - The following project was approved today by the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors:

IDA Grant: US$30 million
Project Description: This grant aims to support implementation of Benin’s poverty reduction strategy. Specifically, it would support: (i) modernizing the regulatory framework and policy environment for private investment and infrastructure; (ii) increasing progress toward the MDGs by raising the quality, efficiency and access for basic social services; and (iii) promoting better governance through public financial management reforms.

Improving Access to Basic Services and Enhancing the Investment Climate in Benin
The World Bank Group Board of Executive Directors today approved the Fifth Poverty Reduction Support Grant for the Republic of Benin. The $30 million equivalent grant resources will support the implementation o f the Government’s reform agenda in the following areas: (i) improving the regulatory framework and policy environment for private investment and infrastructure; (ii) pursuing progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by improving access to basic services and ensuring greater efficiency o f public expenditures on human capital formation; and (iii) promoting better governance, notably through public financial management reforms.

Botswana-Botswana - Morupule B Generation and Transmission Project


World Bank appoints new Country Director for Kenya
The World Bank is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Johannes Zutt as Country Director for Kenya, Comoros, Eritrea, Rwanda, Seychelles and Somalia.
Mr. Zutt, a Dutch national, joined the World Bank in August 2000, where he has held various positions in the Africa department, the East Asia department, the office of the Managing Director, and most recently the Integrity department. Mr. Zutt has wide-ranging experience in Africa, having served as the country program coordinator for Angola, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia. He has also been the Bank’s country program coordinator for China and Mongolia.
Prior to joining the World Bank, Mr. Zutt was involved in program planning, monitoring and evaluation in various countries in eastern and southern Africa. He has also served as a lecturer at the University of Nairobi. He holds a law degree from Harvard University and a doctoral degree from Oxford University.
Mr. Zutt’s top priority in the countries under his responsibility will be to strengthen the Bank’s cooperation, with a view to accelerating and sustaining poverty reduction.
His appointment became effective on January 12th, 2009, and he will be based in Nairobi.
Mr. Zutt replaces Mr. Colin Bruce, who served as Country Director until June 2008.