The World Bank has appointment Sahr Kpundeh as the new Country Manager for Rwanda, effective September 1, 2023.
Based in Kigali, Kpundeh will lead the World Bank’s engagement in Rwanda, which includes an active lending portfolio, a vibrant knowledge partnership, and a dynamic dialogue with the Government of Rwanda and a wide range of stakeholders.
Kpundeh, a US national originally from Sierra Leone, joined the World Bank in 2002 as a Senior Public Sector Management Specialist at the World Bank Institute.
He has held various positions, including as Advisor in the World Bank’s Governance Global Practice and as Country Manager in South Sudan.
His most recent assignment was Country Manager for Zambia.
In his new position, Kpundeh’s priorities will be to deliver on the World Bank’s Rwanda Country Partnership Framework (2021–2026); support the implementation of the World Bank’s Evolution Roadmap and innovate its use of financial instruments, working closely with the International Finance Corporation and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, both part of the World Bank; ensure relationships with Rwanda are active across all the agencies; and lead a strong, well-functioning country team to deliver results on behalf of our client.
Rolande Pryce is the World Bank Regional Director for the South Caucasus, effective September 1, 2023, where she will be responsible for developing the World Bank’s country strategies for Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. In addition, she will be managing the portfolio of lending, advisory and convening services, coordinating with development partners, and engaging with other key stakeholders on economic growth and poverty reduction in all three countries of the South Caucasus.
He replaces Rolande Pryce. During her time as Country Manager for Rwanda, Rolande oversaw a 60% increase in the World Bank’s lending program, establishing a robust private sector development reform program and substantially increasing the World Bank’s engagement on climate resilience which includes the first IDA-funded climate operation in Rwanda.
Leveraging her experience collaborating with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in Indonesia, Rolande facilitated AIIB’s first two operations in Sub-Saharan Africa which brought an additional $200M in co-financing to Rwanda over fiscal years 21-22.
She is the new World Bank Regional Director for the South Caucasus.
