HARARE – The World Bank Group has announced the appointment of Ms. Eneida Fernandes as the new Country Manager for Zimbabwe, effective October 2023 to replace outgoing manager Marjorie Mpundu.
Having already presented her credentials, Ms. Fernandes, formerly the Resident Representative of Cabo Verde, is set to take the lead on the Bank’s operational programs and engagements in Zimbabwe.
Her priorities include advancing the Bank’s programs, addressing arrears clearance and debt resolution, fostering a productive dialogue with the government, and collaborating with key stakeholders and partners to catalyze change.
In response to her new role, Ms. Fernandes expressed her excitement, saying, “I am excited to begin my assignment and look forward to deepening our engagement in the country.”
“Through knowledge, financing, and partnerships, we will continue to work with the Government of Zimbabwe and other stakeholders in line with our mission of creating a world free of poverty on a livable planet.”
Ms. Fernandes, while serving as the Resident Representative of Cabo Verde, played a pivotal role in addressing the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Her background also includes being a senior private sector specialist in the Africa Region, Finance, Competitiveness, and Innovation Unit, both at the Bank’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., and in Antananarivo, Madagascar.
Her extensive career spans over 20 years, involving both operational and management roles in development practices.
World Bank programmes in Zimbabwe
The World Bank’s portfolio in Zimbabwe encompasses various sectors, notably the Zimbabwe Health Sector Development Support Project and the Zimbabwe COVID-19 Emergency Response Project.
Additionally, the portfolio includes advisory programs from the International Finance Corporation, such as the Zimbabwe Destination Development Program.
Diverse sectors in the portfolio include social protection, energy, water, climate, governance, agriculture, and poverty monitoring.
The World Bank has further revealed that a new country engagement note is currently in preparation and will emphasize bolstering macroeconomic stability, promoting effective and transparent governance, and building resilience in Zimbabwe.
Notably, the World Bank has projected that Zimbabwe’s real gross domestic growth rate will experience a slowdown to 4.5 percent in 2023, reflecting challenges such as global headwinds, structural bottlenecks, and fluctuations in prices and exchange rates.
Ms. Eneida Fernandes’s appointment comes as a crucial development in the partnership between Zimbabwe and the World Bank, with her extensive experience and leadership set to play a vital role in advancing the Bank’s mission in the region.
