World Bank has appointed Khwima Nthara as the new country manager for Liberia, taking over the post from Ms. Larisa Leshchenko, whose tenure expires on July 31, 2019, according to a statement by the bank.

Nthara, a Malawian born, is experienced as his record shows that prior to the post as country manager in Liberia, Mr. Nthara has held various field positions in Africa, East Asia and Pacific Regions, including as program leader in Nigeria and senior country economist for Nigeria, Myanmar, and Malawi respectively.

Having joined the bank in 2005 as an economist in the poverty reduction and economic management department, Mr. Nthara comes to Liberia with extensive World Bank experience in the field and at headquarters. Currently, he is an economic adviser in the World Bank Operations Policy and Country Services (OPCS) vice presidency in Washington D.C., where his main duties include providing advice and guidance to senior management and task teams on the bank’s strategic approaches to supporting client countries, as well as on specific financing instruments, such as budgetary support.

According to the statement by the bank, Mr. Nthara will lead the bank’s day-to-day dialogue with the government and key stakeholders in Liberia on a broad range of policy issues, including implementation of the country partnership framework in support of the development priorities of the Liberian government.