Mari Shojo is a Senior Education Specialist with the Education Global Practice of the World Bank, where she works on lending and analytical activities in Africa Region. In recent years, she has focused on primary and secondary education, early childhood development, human capital development, and skills development in Sierra Leone. Prior to joining the World Bank, she worked with JICA and universities on education decentralization, school-based management, teacher development and higher education in Africa and Middle East. She holds a MA in economics and PhD in international education policy from Kobe University, Japan.