World Bank Group member the International Finance Corporation (IFC) has appointed Cláudia Conceição as Southern Africa regional director.

In her new role, Conceição will lead the 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.

She 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 the 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 the IFC from Standard Chartered Bank, where she most recently served as CEO and MD for Angola, and is said to have developed strong relationships within the public and private sectors.

Previously, she was based in Nairobi with Standard Chartered Bank, covering East Africa and managing key strategic assets in the region.

She holds a MSc in Economics from Eduardo Mondlane University in Mozambique.

“We are thrilled to have Cláudia join the IFC’s Africa leadership team. With her extensive private sector background and strong technical and leadership skills, I look forward to her contributing to the IFC’s impact in the Southern Africa region,” says IFC Africa VP Sérgio Pimenta.

“I am excited to join the 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,” says Conceição.

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 the IFC, Conceição will be based in Johannesburg.