A Conversation of the Growth-Environment Nexus in Sub-Saharan African Countries

As the Minister of Finance and National Planning since August 2021, he is at the forefront of Zambia’s economic transformation agenda, which has decentralized resources, bringing them closer to local communities and ensuring that development is taken to all parts of our country. Throughout his career, he also held senior positions at the Bank of Zambia where he served as Advisor to the Bank Governor, Director for Economics, Director for Financial Markets and Deputy Governor. Dr. Musokotwane has also authored and co-authored published works in monetary economics and worked as a lecturer of Economics at the University of Zambia. In addition to his duties as the Minister of Finance and National Planning, he serves as a Member of Parliament for Liuwa Constituency, Western Province of Zambia, a portfolio he has held since September 2011. He is the Economy and Finance Affairs Chairperson in the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND). Dr Musokotwane holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics, a Master of Arts in Monetary Economics, and a Doctorate in Monetary Economics.

Seema Jayachandran is a Professor of Economics and Public Affairs at Princeton University. Her research focuses on environmental conservation, gender equality, health, and other microeconomic topics in developing countries. 

 She serves on the board of directors of the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) and leads J-PAL's gender sector. She is also co-director of the National Bureau of Economic Research's program in Development Economics and co-editor of the American Economic Journal: Applied Economics. In addition, she serves on CARE's board of directors. 

Prior to joining Princeton, she was a faculty member at Northwestern University and Stanford University. She earned a PhD in economics from Harvard University, a master's degree in physics and philosophy from the University of Oxford where she was a Marshall Scholar, and a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from MIT. 

Victoria Kwakwa 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. 

Under her leadership, the World Bank is providing vital support to countries as they face a series of complex, multifaceted challenges including the COVID-19 crisis, climate shocks, food- and energy-fueled inflation and rising debt levels. Her priorities include promoting private sector jobs and economic transformation, building human capital, strengthening climate resilience, agricultural productivity and food security, and improving access to critical infrastructure. Reducing the drivers of fragility and conflict, promoting gender equality and regional integration cut across all these areas of work.

Additional information about Victoria Kwakwa's work and activities is available here.

Abha Prasad brings with her over 20 years of experience in developing countries and has worked across all regions of the World Bank, with extensive work in small states and subnationals. 

Prior to this she was Program Leader for the Equitable Growth, Finance, and Institutions (EFI) global practices for the Caribbean countries, lead debt specialist and the Program Manager for the World Bank’s Debt Management Facility. She was supporting the Bank’s debt management advisory and technical assistance work program. Before joining the World Bank, she was the Director with the Reserve Bank of India, managing as part of an expert team the debt of India’s central and 28 state governments. She was actively involved in providing policy advice for framing India’s fiscal responsibility legislation. 

She holds a Master’s in Business Economics from the University of Delhi, India, and Master’s in Policy Management from Georgetown University, USA. Her publications among others include India’s state government debt, debt management in small states, operational risk management.