World Bank team meets Sudanese officials on resumption of support
Port Sudan, Sudan (PANA) – The first high-level official delegation from the World Bank arrived in Sudan on Monday since relations were suspended in 2021, the official Sudan News Agency (SUNA) reported.
The World Bank team comprised Ms. Mariam Salem, Regional Director of the World Bank for Sudan, Ethiopia, and Eritrea, Mr. Yuichiro Ishihara, Country Director for Sudan, and Dr. Mohamed Osman, Economic Expert at the Bank’s Sudan office.
The Minister of Finance Dr. Gebreil Ibrahim, accompanied by the State Minister, Undersecretary for Planning, Director General of External Finance, and Director of International Financial Institutions at the Ministry of Finance, welcomed the resumption of relations and ongoing project financing.
SUNA said the Minister outlined the government’s current priorities, emphasising post-war reconstruction, provision of essential services including health, education, water supply, electricity, and alternative energy.
He also flagged the agricultural sector and the rehabilitation of infrastructure damaged in Khartoum State during the ongoing civil war, thus supporting efforts to create a conducive environment for citizens to return to their homes.
Ms. Salem affirmed the Bank’s commitment to continuing its funded projects in Sudan, with a financing portfolio totalling $540.2 million, aligned with government-determined priorities.
She said the mission aims to evaluate the performance of ongoing projects in coordination with the Sudanese government, assessing achievements and identifying impediments.
Ms. Salem said that the Bank’s November meeting in Washington reached a consensus to extend support to Sudan through new projects in food security and essential services.
The meeting reviewed projects funded by the Bank since 2024, which will continue to be implemented over the coming years. These include initiatives to enhance community resilience, emergency primary education support, emergency and health assistance, social safety net and emergency response projects, and community resilience strengthening programs.
The delegation also announced the Bank’s approval to fund a new project in clean energy and digitalization in Sudan.
Emphasis was placed on establishing a joint coordinating unit within the Ministry of Finance to manage the World Bank portfolio, ensuring direct coordination with implementing partners and relevant ministries to improve project performance and sustainability.
Reports say the World Bank had halted over $1.8 billion in grants designated for budget support, agricultural irrigation, and improving electricity production and delivery following the military coup of 25 October, 2021.
-0- PANA MA 2Dec2025
