Former World Bank Vice President for Africa to Provide Economic Policy Advisory for Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea and Other Economies on the Continent

Former World Bank Vice President for Africa to Provide Economic Policy Advisory for Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea and Other Economies on the Continent PR Newswire ABUJA, Nigeria, Aug. 7, 2012 - New Initiative Will Support the Development of a Center for African Economic Policy Expertise and Advisory ABUJA, Nigeria, Aug. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Open Society Foundations today announced that it has asked Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili, a world-renowned expert on economic reforms and economic governance, to lead its new Africa Economic Policy Development Initiative. The initiative was created to build on the strong growth performance of Africa over the last decade and the emergent urgency for structural transformation of economies to expand benefits to the poor majority through policies that boost private sector jobs and incomes. Operating from Abuja, Ezekwesili will advise the leaders and policymakers of the countries on their economic strategy and policy reforms that can help boost investment and create job growth in the Mano River region. The initiative over the next three years will expand to include other countries across Africa. "We heartily welcome this initiative by the Open Society Foundations and are eager to seize the opportunity to receive the valuable policy advice and support from Oby Ezekwesili," said President Alpha Conde of Guinea, one of the three countries on which the Africa Economic Policy Development Initiative will focus initially.