Acting as the representative of President Bola Tinubu, VP Shettima’s presence underscores Nigeria’s commitment to global development initiatives.

The departure was announced in an official statement titled ‘IDA Summit: VP Shettima Departs Abuja for Nairobi,’ issued by his spokesperson, Stanley Nkwocha.

The statement said the event will see African leaders unite to call for an ambitious replenishment of the World Bank’s International Development Association concessional lending arm.

“VP Shettima is expected to take a lead role in advocating for Nigeria’s vision of a transformative IDA21 financing package to accelerate development across the continent over the 2024-2026 period.

“The high-level gathering, hosted by Kenyan President William Ruto, will see African leaders unite to call for an ambitious replenishment of the World Bank’s International Development Association concessional lending arm.

“In the draft “Nairobi IDA Communique” to be considered at the summit, African heads of state outline urgent priorities for IDA’s next three-year funding cycle.

“These include building human capital, creating jobs, enhancing energy and digital access, building climate resilience and promoting sustainable growth.

“While thanking donors for contributing $23.5bn to the current IDA20 cycle, the communiqué states that this level of financing is inadequate to meet the massive investment needs.

“It calls on “IDA partners/donors to step up and ensure a robust replenishment for IDA21.”

VP Shettima’s agenda at the summit encompasses advocating for substantial investments in sectors critical to Nigeria’s economic transformation, particularly job creation, energy access, and human capital development, recognizing the pivotal role of partners like IDA in realizing these objectives.

The Nairobi summit follows in the footsteps of previous IDA gatherings in Abidjan in 2021 and Dakar in 2022, where African leaders united to champion an ambitious IDA20 replenishment from donors.