Digital Africa: Technological Transformation for Jobs

Ms. Boutheina Guermazi is the World Bank Director for Regional Integration for Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and North Africa since October 2021. In this position, she oversees the implementation of the World Bank Group’s regional integration strategy and leads the policy dialogue and partnership with regional organizations, country clients, and partners. Prior to this role, Ms. Boutheina Guermazi was the Director of Digital Development (DD) Department of the Infrastructure Practice Group of the World Bank. She headed a global team working on building digital economies in developing countries, to drive shared prosperity and reduced poverty.

Andrew Dabalen is the World Bank’s Africa Region Chief Economist since July 1, 2022. The Chief Economist is responsible for providing guidance on strategic priorities and the technical quality of economic analysis in the region, as well as for developing major regional economic studies, among other roles. He has held various positions including Senior Economist in the World Bank’s Europe and Central Asia Region, Lead Economist and Practice Manager for Poverty and Equity in Africa and most recently, Practice Manager for Poverty and Equity in the South Asia Region. His research and scholarly publications focused on poverty and social impact analysis, inequality of opportunity, program evaluation, risk and vulnerability, labor markets, and conflict and welfare outcomes.

Tania Begazo is a senior economist in the Markets and Technology Unit of the World Bank’s Trade, Investment, and Competitiveness Practice Group. She leads analytical initiatives and provides technical guidance on competition policy. Previously at the Digital Development Global Practice, she oversaw major economic policy and research initiatives related to digital infrastructure and policy to inform thought leadership, corporate strategy, and operational engagements with clients, with an emphasis on Africa. She led dissemination of knowledge on digital development and contributed to the formulation and implementation of country operations targeting reforms in the digital sector, building on collaboration within the World Bank Group and external partners.

Ousmane Diagana, a Mauritanian national, is the Regional Vice President for Western and Central Africa as of July 1, 2020. In this position, Mr. Diagana leads relations with 22 countries, and oversees a portfolio of projects, technical assistance, and financial resources worth more than $38 billion.  Prior to this appointment, Mr. Diagana was the Vice President of Human Resources for the World Bank Group. In that role, he provided overall strategic leadership on human resource matters to the entire World Bank Group and oversaw the development and implementation of the World Bank Group People Strategy, and Human Resources policies, programs, and services.

Victoria Kwakwa, a Ghanaian national, is the Regional Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa. An economist and development expert with over 30 years of experience, Dr. Kwakwa leads the Bank’s engagement with 26 countries. She oversees an active portfolio of 313 operations totaling $58 billion and an extensive program of cutting-edge analytic work, technical assistance, and policy advice.  At the core of Ms. Kwakwa’s vision is 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. Dr. Kwakwa’s previous positions include serving as the World Bank Vice President for Corporate Strategic Initiatives and as the Vice President for East Asia and the Pacific.

Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) (PhD) is the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Prior to his appointment as the Minister, he was the Director General Chief Executive Officer of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), which has a strong mandate on Research, Regulation, and Development in Information Technology. He was also appointed as AfCFTA Champion for Communications and Digital Economy, as well as Chairman for the Presidential Steering Committee for National Identity and the National Council on Digital Economy and e-Government.

Firas Ahmad, is Group CEO and co-founder of AzamPay and AzamPesa. He has over 20 years of executive and strategic experience in startups and expanding high-growth companies in the areas of Fintech, financial services, energy and technology in emerging markets. He is a graduate of Georgetown and Harvard Universities.

Alison Gillwald (PhD) is the Executive Director of Research ICT Africa (RIA) an African digital policy and regulatory think-tank that works across 20 African countries. She is currently also an adjunct professor at the University of Cape Town’s Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance where she convenes a doctoral program in the Digital Economy and Society in Africa and professional development and executive training for policymakers, regulators, and parliamentarians in the areas of policy, regulation, and data governance. She is also a member of the UN Secretary General’s Digital Cooperation Roadmap Digital Inclusion Roundtable.

Guangzhe Chen, a Chinese national, is the Vice President for Infrastructure at the World Bank as of February 1, 2023. In this position he leads the Bank's global efforts to build sustainable infrastructure in developing and emerging economies and supports the World Bank Group’s strategic priorities such as the climate change action plan and the private capital mobilization and enabling efforts. He oversees the Bank's work across energy and transport sectors, digital development, and efforts to provide access to renewable energy, low-carbon transportation, digital connectivity, and quality infrastructure services to communities through public-private partnerships. Infrastructure represents around $72 billion of the Bank’s portfolio.