New leadership to deepen the World Bank’s partnership with Thailand and continue support for vulnerable communities in Myanmar
BANGKOK, September 1, 2026 — The World Bank has appointed Stephen N. Ndegwa as Division Director for Thailand and Myanmar, effective September 1, 2026, based in Bangkok.
Ndegwa joins at an important moment for both countries. In Thailand, the World Bank is deepening its partnership to support the country’s aspiration to build a more competitive and resilient economy, reaching high-income status by 2037. In Myanmar, amid ongoing fragility, conflict, and violence, the World Bank remains committed to supporting the people of Myanmar, focusing on preserving human capital, strengthening community resilience, and protecting livelihoods and food security.
As Division Director, Ndegwa will lead the World Bank’s programs in Thailand and Myanmar and work closely with stakeholders to support country priorities and advance the Bank’s mission to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet, creating more and better jobs for everyone.
“Thailand has demonstrated strong leadership and results in pursuing sustainable and resilient development, while Myanmar’s people continue to face immense challenges,” said Ndegwa. “I look forward to working closely with our partners to help create opportunities, strengthen resilience, and support inclusive and sustainable growth.”
Ahead of the 2026 IMF-World Bank Group Annual Meetings in Bangkok, his priorities in Thailand will include advancing the next phase of the World Bank Group’s partnership through a new Country Partnership Framework (CPF), which sets out a focused roadmap to strengthen Thailand’s global competitiveness, drive growth and job creation, and foster a more inclusive and resilient economy. The CPF is centered on two mutually reinforcing outcomes: a more competitive private sector and enhanced resilience for growth, with more and better jobs and private capital mobilization as cross-cutting priorities. Ongoing investments in Thailand focus on resilient infrastructure, carbon markets, water security, and flood-risk management with an active knowledge and analytical work supporting macroeconomic management, urban development, digital transformation, and finance and private sector development.
In Myanmar, the World Bank Group remains committed to supporting the people of Myanmar through its monitor, assess, and assist approach, in line with its Strategy for Engaging in Fragility, Conflict, and Violence (FCV) Affected Settings (2026-2030). Under Ndegwa’s leadership, the World Bank will continue to generate knowledge to deepen understanding of evolving economic and social conditions, while expanding support for vulnerable communities through programs implemented by third-party partners. Through these efforts, the World Bank aims to help vulnerable communities better withstand conflict, economic hardship, natural disasters, and other shocks while laying foundations for future recovery and resilience.
Prior to this appointment, Ndegwa served as the World Bank’s Division Director for the Pacific Islands, overseeing a portfolio of more than 80 projects across the region. Since joining the World Bank in 2002 as a Young Professional, he has held leadership positions across Africa, East Asia and the Pacific, Europe and Central Asia, the Middle East, and South Asia, including as Country Manager for Serbia and Operations Manager for Afghanistan. Ndegwa holds a PhD in Political Science and Public Policy from Indiana University in the United States.
