The new regional VP will oversee the economic recovery, transformation and integration of Eastern and Southern Africa. She will also lead an extensive regional programme that includes a financing portfolio of more than 300 operations totalling over $50 billion.

Known for her innovative and solution-driven approach, Kwakwa will tackle the multifaceted issues plaguing both regions. She will focus on strategies to improve food security, human capital development, agricultural activity, private sector job creation, infrastructure access and reducing conflict drivers. Under her leadership, the World Bank seeks to support countries that face ongoing challenges such as COVID-19, food and energy-fuelled inflation, rising debt, and climate shocks. 

Since joining the World Bank in 1989, Kwakwa has led the institution’s engagement with 23 countries. Most recently, she served as World Bank VP for Corporate Strategic Initiatives and VP for East Asia Pacific, from April 2016 to August 2021. Before that she was country director in Vietnam. Between 2001 and 2006, Kwakwa also led the group’s economic team in Nigeria, and from 2007 to 2009 she was country manager for Rwanda. 

 “With a track record of putting people at the centre of her work, Kwakwa is dedicated to bringing innovative approaches and financing to development to contribute to achieving a stable, integrated, and resilient region with dynamic economies and prosperous societies in which all citizens, notably women, children and youth enjoy equality of opportunity,” the institution said in a statement. 

Kwakwa holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and statistics from the University of Ghana, a master's and PhD from Queen’s University Ontario. She took over from Hafez Ghanem who retired from the group in June 2022, and resumes her new role from July.