World Bank Appoints Johan A. Mistiaen as New Country Manager for Niger

A Belgian national, Mr. Mistiaen brings more than two decades of experience within the World Bank Group, having joined the institution in 2004.

The World Bank Group has today announced the appointment of Johan A. Mistiaen as its new Country Manager for Niger, marking a key leadership transition as the institution deepens its engagement in the country.

In his new role, Mr. Mistiaen will lead the World Bank Group’s operations in Niger across the World Bank (IBRD and IDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA). He will work closely with the Government of Niger, development partners, the private sector, and civil society to support the country’s development priorities and inclusive growth agenda.

“Joining our team, clients, and partners in Niger is a privilege,” Mr. Mistiaen said. “I look forward to strengthening our partnership with Niger and leveraging the full breadth of World Bank Group support to help advance inclusive growth and create more and better jobs.”

A Belgian national, Mr. Mistiaen brings more than two decades of experience within the World Bank Group, having joined the institution in 2004. He has held a range of senior leadership roles, including Practice Manager for the Poverty and Equity Global Practice in Western and Central Africa, and Program Leader for Equity, Finance, and Institutions in both the Kenya and Senegal Country Management Units.

Mr. Mistiaen’s academic background spans biology, economics, and statistics, with degrees from the University of York in the United Kingdom and the University of Maryland in the United States. He has published extensively in applied economics, with a strong focus on welfare measurement and policies aimed at reducing poverty and inequality.

His appointment comes as the World Bank Group maintains a significant development footprint in Niger. The International Development Association (IDA) currently supports an active portfolio of 23 operations—13 national and 10 regional—representing approximately US$4.45 billion in commitments. These investments span key sectors including transport, water, energy, agriculture, governance, human capital, urban and social development, environment, and digital transformation.

The IFC’s committed investment portfolio in Niger totals US$50 million, primarily focused on infrastructure and financial services, while MIGA has US$2 million in direct exposure in the mobile money sector, alongside indirect exposure through lending by the West African Development Bank.

World Bank officials say Mr. Mistiaen’s leadership will be critical in aligning public and private sector financing to support Niger’s development ambitions amid ongoing economic and social challenges.