At the 2024 Spring Meetings, World Bank Group President Ajay Banga announced an ambitious commitment to bring energy access to 300 million people in Africa by 2030, in partnership with the African Development Bank. But what will it take to achieve this, and how will the International Finance Corporation and the private sector contribute to this goal? In this episode of IFC Audio Stories Sarvesh Suri, IFC's Director for Infrastructure and Natural Resources in Africa, shares some of the...

In this episode of IFC Audio Stories we discuss women's economic empowerment with Jessica Schnabel, the Global Head of Banking on Women at IFC. Designing for women is a game-changing approach, says Jessica, as she shares insights on gender-focused financial instruments, services and initiatives that are reshaping the landscape of women's economic inclusion. 

This World Water Day, IFC Audio Stories dives into the crucial topic of water. Host Lindy Mtongana is joined by IFC's Lalrin Sailo and George Butler to explore IFC's work in supporting emerging markets in meeting their sustainable development goals for water and sanitation. Learn about the role of the private sector in water management and the importance of valuing water properly in light of evolving climate change impacts. 

In this episode of IFC Audio Stories, host Lindy Mtongana is in conversation with the leads of a new report launched by IFC: Her Fintech Edge - Market Insights for Inclusive Growth. Anushe Khan and Jorge Godoy discuss the role of digital financial services in advancing women's financial inclusion and highlight the opportunities for fintech firms to strategically target and serve women.  

In this episode of IFC Audio Stories, host Lindy Mtongana explores the growing global displacement crisis with Michel Botzung, Head of the IFC-UNHCR Joint Initiative. With over 114 million forcibly displaced people globally, Michel discusses the upcoming 2023 Global Refugee Forum and the pivotal role of the private sector in addressing this crisis.

With COP28 just weeks away, Lindy Mtongana sits down with IFC’s Global Head of Climate Finance, William Beloe to discuss the intersection between climate and finance, and how IFC’s partnerships with financial institutions are crucial to climate action.  

IFC is embarking on the Road to COP28 with a mission to accelerate the transition to low-carbon, resilient markets. In this episode of IFC Audio Stories, Lindy Mtongana is joined by IFC’s Chief Investment Officer for Global Energy, Ignacio De Calonje to discuss the importance of green hydrogen and how IFC is de-risking the sector and attracting investors. 

As the world increasingly embraces e-commerce, IFC is partnering with an African startup to ensure the continent’s creative artisans don't get left behind. In its first foray into Africa’s creative sector IFC has invested $3.4 million in ANKA - an all-in-one e-commerce solution for African businesses aiming to export globally. In this episode of IFC Audio Stories, Lindy Mtongana meets the company’s visionary founder, Moulaye Tabouré.  

This year's Africa CEO Forum saw 2,200 participants gathering in Abidjan, Cote D'Ivoire for the largest private sector assembly in Africa. Co-hosted by IFC and Jeune Afrique, the event placed a strong emphasis on scaling up African businesses and fostering the growth of the next generation of African champions. This episode of IFC Audio Stories delves into the significance of the theme for IFC and sheds light on its implications for women entrepreneurs.

In this episode of IFC Audio Stories we take a look back at the Spring Meetings, with highlights from an IFC-led event on women's leadership and economic empowerment. Listen as industry leaders, including Melinda French Gates and IFC Managing Director Makhtar Diop, share their insights on the urgent need to prioritize gender in this new era of development. As countries around the world face crises that disproportionately affect women and threaten decades of progress towards gender equity,...

In the third episode of She Powers Africa, IFC chats with Carol Koech, the Country President for Schneider East Africa. Koech shares her career journey and why she’s a champion for African girls to explore STEM careers.

In the second episode of She Powers Africa, IFC chats with Olaedo Osoka, CEO of Daystar Power in West Africa. Osoka shares her experience as one of the youngest female CEOs in Africa’s renewable energy space and the importance of building a pipeline of future women leaders.

In She Powers Africa, IFC chats with Jennifer Boca, Head of ESG at Lekela Power, on stepping forward into Africa’s renewable energy sector.

For the final episode of this Pacific mini-series, IFC talks to Hatanga Managing Director Jay Bartlett about why it’s important to demonstrate high standards of governance, and, as the boss, keep an open door.  

In the second episode of this Pacific mini-series, IFC talks to Dame Meg Taylor, former Secretary-General of the Pacific Islands Forum about what it means for women to be in leadership positions.

For the first part of this Pacific mini-series, IFC talks to Vinod Patel & Company Chief Financial Officer Nikita Patel to discuss what organizational resilience looks like now.

Since a highly transmissible second wave of COVID-19 infections began coursing through India, IFC communications officer Manuela de Souza has watched the virus wreak havoc across the country—including her home state of Goa, India. In a conversation with IFC’s John Donnelly, De Souza dives into what it’s like on the ground in India today and how businesses are trying to stay resilient. Find more stories like this one in our IFC Insights newsletter. Click here to subscribe:...

Two long-time friends, one African-American and the other a U.S.-based Ugandan national, share their experiences of institutional racism on two continents and exchange ideas about how to handle racial bias in international development.