The World Bank has confirmed that Anambra State did not express interest to participate in its 2024 HOPE-Governance Program, contrary to misleading media reports alleging that the State was denied the World Bank loan facility due to poor performance benchmarks.
The report makes no mention of disqualification or failed benchmarks, only that interested states engaged the Bank for guidance.
A Press Statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Christian Aburime, on July 3, 2026, maintained that Anambra’s non-participation was a deliberate administrative decision, not a penalty.
He asserted that the present administration evaluates every program against its priorities and fiscal timelines before committing.
“Anambra State Government under Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, evaluates every program against its priorities and fiscal timelines before committing.
“The State Government also clarified that it is currently concluding due diligence and ongoing talks with the World Bank, and Anambra State will not fail to participate in any progressive program or policy that aligns with our priorities, now or in the future.
“Therefore, the State Government urges the media and the general public to verify facts and resist undue insinuations that may be misleading”, the statement concluded.
