Can the new head restore confidence? Former trade representative Robert Zoellick has been chosen to head the World Bank in hopes of putting to rest the controversial tenure of Iraq war architect Paul Wolfowitz. But what will it mean for Africa?(World Bank)

ZOELLICK IS A veteran diplomat who helped bring China and Taiwan into the World Trade Organization and launched the Doha Round of WTO talks. He has worked on German reunification, Latin American debt relief, post-Soviet economic transition and the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act. Currently an international vice chairman at Goldman Sachs, the 53-year-old Harvard-educated lawyer served as Deputy Secretary of State in 2005 and 2006, focusing largely on Darfur.

Announcing his nomination, President Bush says that experience has prepared Zoellick well to lead the World Bank. "He is a committed internationalist. He has earned the trust and support of Leaders from every region of the world," Bush said. "He is deeply devoted to the mission of the World Bank. He wants to help struggling nations defeat poverty, to grow their economies, and offer their people the hope of a better life."

Zoellick is a seasoned negotiator who reached free-trade agreements with Singapore, …