IFC has announced the appointment of Cláudia Conceição as Regional Director for Southern Africa. In her new role, Conceição will lead IFC’s strategy and operations in 12 countries in the region, designing and implementing projects to support inclusive, sustainable private sector development, entrepreneurship, and job creation.
Conceição will work with public and private sector partners to help address pressing development issues in Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. 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.
A Mozambican and Portuguese national, Conceição joins IFC from Standard Chartered Bank, where she most recently served as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director 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. She holds a Master of Science in Economics from Eduardo Mondlane University in Mozambique.
“We are thrilled to have Cláudia join IFC’s Africa leadership team,” Sérgio Pimenta, IFC Vice President for Africa. “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.”
“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,” said Conceição. “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.”
Before joining Standard Chartered Bank, 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.
In her new role with IFC, Conceição will be based in Johannesburg.
IFC 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.