Zoellick on his way to Africa

World Bank President Robert Zoellick will begin a three-nation Africa visit next week aimed at economic growth and overcoming poverty on the continent.

Although affected by the global food, fuel and financial crises, African governments are said to have persisted in strengthening their economic policies as they pursue development or rebuild after conflict.

Zoellick will visit Sierra Leone before traveling to Cote d’Ivoire and then Ethiopia where the African Union (AU) Summit will take place.

A statement issued by the bank ahead of the trip said Zoellick noted that many sub-Saharan African countries had enjoyed a decade or more of solid growth before the economic crisis and it was important to preserve and expand on these gains by drawing investment to high growth areas.

“I am visiting Africa to learn about how its people have coped with the global economic crisis and to see how the World Bank Group can work with them to improve prospects for economic growth and expanded opportunity.” – BuaNews