International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, announced on Wednesday October 25, it has appointed Cláudia Conceição as Regional Director for Southern Africa. She will be based in Johannesburg.
IFC, it’s explained, is a strong partner with governments and the private sector across southern Africa, deploying investments and advisory services in the region to support a range of sectors that contribute to job creation, poverty reduction, and sustainable economic growth. Last fiscal year, IFC made close to $2 billion in investments in Southern Africa.
In her new role, Cláudia Conceição will lead IFC’s strategy and operations in 12 countries: Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.
Cláudia Conceição will design and implement projects to support inclusive, sustainable private sector development, entrepreneurship, and job creation in these countries. She will also work with public and private sector partners to help address pressing development issues in these countries.
Her focus will be on increasing IFC’s impact and supporting development in the region’s agribusiness, infrastructure, and financial sectors, among others, and supporting green and climate responsive projects. Sérgio Pimenta, IFC Vice President for Africa said: “We are thrilled to have Cláudia join IFC’s Africa leadership team. With her extensive private sector background and strong technical and leadership skills, I look forward to her contributing to IFC’s impact in the Southern Africa region.”
Claudia Conceição said: “I am excited to join IFC to support sustainable development and inclusive growth that makes a positive impact in Africa, and more specifically in Southern Africa. I am eager to meet with partners and help countries in the region achieve their development goals with the support of private sector-led solutions.”
Experienced Banker
A Mozambican and Portuguese national, Claudia Conceição holds a Master of Science in Economics from Eduardo Mondlane University in Mozambique. Her core competencies include financial risk management, corporate finance, financial planning, and debt restructuring and insolvency. She also have a keen interest in emerging technologies and their applications in the financial sector, such as blockchain and digital currencies. She recently completed the Oxford Blockchain Strategy Programme, which enhanced her knowledge and skills in this exciting and rapidly evolving field.
Claudia Conceição joins IFC from Standard Chartered Bank, where she worked for 10 years. Prior to her appointment, she served as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Standard Chartered Bank for Angola, developing strong relationships with the public and private sector. Previously, she was based in Nairobi with Standard Chartered Bank, covering East Africa, and managing key strategic assets in the region.
Before joining Standard Chartered Bank, Claudia Conceição was the director for Corporate & Investment Banking at Barclays Bank in Mozambique, where she managed a country-wide team responsible for coverage, debt, structured finance, cash, and trade finance products.
About IFC
IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. The institution works in more than 100 countries, using it’s capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2023, IFC committed a record $43.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries.
