The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private investment arm of the World Bank Group, has appointed Amena Arif as its new country manager for the Philippines. In this role, Arif will focus on mobilizing private sector investments to promote job creation, mitigate the impacts of climate change, and enhance financial inclusion across the country.
Amena Arif, a Pakistani national, brings extensive experience to the position, having joined IFC in 2012. She has worked on investment transactions in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Lebanon, and most recently served as country manager for East Africa based in Nairobi. She has also held roles as country manager for Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
In her statement, Arif expressed enthusiasm about her new role, saying, “IFC is committed to working together with our partners in the Philippines to unlock funding that will help create jobs, support companies to mitigate the impacts of climate change, open doors for small businesses to grow, and make sure digital services are available to everyone.” She also emphasized her excitement about returning to Asia to work towards sustainable growth in the region.
Arif holds an MBA from the Lahore University of Management Sciences in Pakistan and succeeds Jean-Marc Arbogast, who has moved to a new role as the World Bank Group country manager in Chile.
IFC is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets, working in over 100 countries to create opportunities and markets in developing economies. In fiscal year 2024, IFC committed a record $56 billion to private companies and financial institutions worldwide.
