BUJUMBURA, November 4, 2010 – World Bank Vice President for the Africa Region, Ms. Obiageli Ezekwesili, arrived here Thursday evening at the start of a three-day visit focused on raising awareness about the challenges, but also the opportunities, that Africa’s land-locked, fragile and conflict-affected countries offer for investors. “I am embarking on this visit because Burundi is one of the countries that we - in the Africa Region of the World Bank - have worked with vigorously, as a strong partner, in the process of consolidating the gains of peace through economic growth,” Ms. Ezekwesili told reporters at the airport, shortly after being welcomed into the country by Burundi’s Second Vice President Gervais Rufvikiri. Burundi is the second stop on a four-nation trip the first leg of which ended Thursday in neighboring Rwanda, and will continue next week with two more stops in Botswana and Lesotho. Ms. Ezekwesili said she was “delighted to be visiting Burundi for the first time”. She stressed the importance and relevance of poverty reduction in a country like Burundi, which recently emerged from years of armed conflict and economic isolation, and can take advantage of its recent admission into the East African Community to transform – thanks to regional integration - from a land-locked into a “land-linked” country. The World Bank, she said, is using the opportunity of her visit to deepen the partnership with the government and the people of Burundi, striving collaboratively with them “to see how Burundi can grow and reduce poverty”. ______________________________________________________ Photo and text (World Bank): Obiageli Ezekwesili addresses the press upon her arrival in Bujumbura. With her is Second Vice President of Burundi Gervais Rufvikiri. Herbert Boh
