"Morocco has not only increased access to electricity, but also innovated in its reforms, including digital, private sector, competition and renewable energy," noted Bjerde, in an exclusive interview with MAP, on the occasion of the annual meetings of the World Bank (WB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) being held in Marrakech.

According to the official, the Kingdom is distinguished by its "bottom-up approach," which involves listening to communities and municipalities in rural areas to address their own development and investment priorities.

"The World Bank has been a truly privileged partner in helping Morocco to think through and implement such projects," she maintained, emphasizing the very long-standing partnership linking Morocco and the financial institution.

"This year marks 65 years of diversified partnership. We have worked together in many important areas", said Bjerde.

The head of the financial institution also noted the importance of holding this event of financial decision-makers in the Kingdom, at a time when the world is facing so many challenges, particularly on the African continent, notably with the Covid-19 crisis and the consequences of the war between Russia and Ukraine.

"While the cost of the crisis is really being borne by Africa, it is also on this continent that opportunities exist", she added.

For Bjerde, it's in Africa where "we have a young population, the opportunity to make an energy transition, and where innovation, investment and a real transition to much more sustainable development can happen".

"It's so symbolic to have these assemblies here in so many ways, and we hope that there will be a lot of very good discussions coming out of them that will help kick-start a recovery in the global economy," she said.