The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, has appointed Pakistani banker Amena Arif as its new Country Manager for the Philippines.
According to national media, In this role, Amena Arif will focus on mobilizing private sector investments to support job creation, mitigate climate change impacts, and promote financial inclusion.
Amena Arif brings extensive experience in banking and financial services, having previously served in key roles across South Asia and East Africa. She joined IFC in 2012 after a career in international commercial banking, leading debt and equity investment transactions in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Lebanon.
Before her new appointment, she was IFC’s Country Manager for East Africa, based in Nairobi, and previously held the same role for Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
“I am excited to be back in Asia and look forward to working closely with our public and private sector partners towards sustainable and inclusive growth,” said Amena Arif. “IFC is committed to working together with our partners in the Philippines to unlock funding that will help create jobs, support companies in mitigating climate change impacts, open doors for small businesses to grow, and ensure digital services are accessible to all.”
Amena holds an MBA from the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) in Pakistan. She succeeds Jean-Marc Arbogast, who has taken on a new role as the World Bank Group Country Manager in Chile.
About IFC
IFC is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. Operating in over 100 countries, it leverages capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing economies. In fiscal year 2024, IFC committed a record $56 billion to private companies and financial institutions, aiming to eradicate poverty and promote sustainable growth.
