Follow CGSP on Social Media

Listen to the CGSP Podcast

Ajay Banga in Africa to Rally Support for World Bank Leadership Amid Stand-off With China

File image of Ajay Banga, the U.S. nominee to become the next president of the World Bank. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds / AFP

Ajay Banga, U.S. President Joe Biden’s nominee to head the World Bank, is on a ‘listening tour’ of Africa to drum up support for his nomination. Banga kicked off his visit to the continent in Ivory Coast and Kenya.

As a veteran of the private sector (he was an executive at Citigroup before heading Mastercard), Banga is an unlikely fit for a job usually occupied by development finance experts. While he is officially a nominee and is campaigning for support, the fact that he was appointed by Biden basically makes him a shoo-in.

  • Get a daily email packed with the latest China-Africa news and analysis.
  • Read exclusive insights on the key trends shaping China-Africa relations.
  • Full access to the News Feed that provides daily updates on Chinese engagement in Africa and throughout the Global South.

China, Africa and the Global South... find out what’s happening.

Subscribe today for unlimited access.

What is The China-Global South Project?

Independent

The China-Global South Project is passionately independent, non-partisan and does not advocate for any country, company or culture.

News

A carefully curated selection of the day’s most important China-Global South stories. Updated 24 hours a day by human editors. No bots, no algorithms.

Analysis

Diverse, often unconventional insights from scholars, analysts, journalists and a variety of stakeholders in the China-Global South discourse.

Networking

A unique professional network of China-Africa scholars, analysts, journalists and other practioners from around the world.