The head of the International Monetary Fund held talks with Nigerian officials as she began her first official trip to Africa.

IMF chief Christine Lagarde met with Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan Monday following a meeting with finance minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in the capital, Abuja.

The French news agency quotes her as saying she was “extremely impressed” with the pace Mr. Jonathan wants to transform Nigeria's economy, create jobs, and increase focus on agriculture.

Lagarde is expected in Lagos Tuesday for a conference on Africa's future.

From Nigeria, the IMF chief travels to Niger where she will meet with President Mahamadou Issoufou and take part in a cabinet meeting focused on the challenges of economic development in the country.

She will also address the National Assembly, and meet with representatives of the financial institutions and the private sector.