The World Bank Group has announced the appointment of Mr. Khwima Nthara as its new Country Manager for Papua New Guinea (PNG), a position that will streamline country-level leadership across the institution to better support PNG’s public and private sector priorities.

As the World Bank Group Country Manager for PNG, Mr. Nthara will be responsible for unifying country-level leadership across the institution, providing a single point of contact for access to the full breadth of World Bank Group products and services.

This move is expected to enhance the institution’s ability to address global challenges and drive development with speed, efficiency, and impact.

“This unified leadership approach tremendously improves the WBG’s capacity to support PNG’s development ambitions,” said Mr. Nthara.

“It will enable us to improve our scope, scale, and speed and therefore make us a better partner in supporting the government, the private sector, and ultimately, the people of Papua New Guinea.”

Mr. Nthara has been with the World Bank Group since 2005 and has held various positions, including Country Manager for Liberia and Country Economist for Malawi. Prior to joining the World Bank Group, he worked as Manager of Deloitte’s Development Consulting Practice, Manager of the UK-funded Malawi Trade and Poverty Program, and Economics Lecturer at the University of Malawi.

The introduction of joint country representation is part of a larger effort by the World Bank Group to build a stronger presence in Papua New Guinea.

PNG country is one of 21 World Bank Group offices transitioning to a single World Bank Group Country Manager or Resident Representative for the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), International Development Association (IDA), International Finance Corporation (IFC), and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA).