Bereng Mpaki
THE World Bank has appointed Yoichiro Ishihara its country representative for Lesotho.
The Japanese national Mr Ishihara began his tour of duty on Monday. He succeeds Janet Entwistle, who recently completed her term.
According to a statement released by the World Bank this week, Mr Ishihara will support Lesotho’s efforts to achieve its development priorities in line with the World Bank’s goals.
“We are pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Ishihara to lead the World Bank’s programme in Lesotho,” the bank’s country director for Lesotho, Botswana, eSwatini, Namibia and South Africa Marie- Francoise Marie Nelly.
“Working closely with government counterparts and key stakeholders, Mr Ishihara will support Lesotho’s efforts to achieve its development priorities in line with the World Bank’s goals of ending poverty and boosting shared prosperity.”
Mr Ishihara joined the World Bank in 2001 and possesses extensive experience working in development in different regions in the world including South Asia, South East Asia and Africa.
Prior to moving to Lesotho, Mr Ishihara led World Bank programmes in Bhutan as resident representative and senior country economist. Before that, he held various positions including the senior country economist in Rwanda, the senior country economist in Afghanistan and economist in Indonesia.
Mr Ishihara, holds a PhD in Development Economics from the Graduate School of International Development of Nagoya University, Japan.
He is a macroeconomist with a broad operational expertise, technical skills and rich client experience across various regions. He has also worked for the policy department of the World Bank in Washington DC on development effectiveness and results management.
