Global finance, development, and economic growth by Makhtar Diop
Makhtar Diop is Managing Director of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a role held since March 2021. Under his leadership, IFC’s investments reached a record USD 56 billion in fiscal year 2024, with over USD 1.1 billion allocated to digital infrastructure, fintech scalability, and blockchain-integrated services across emerging markets. Diop previously served as Vice President for Infrastructure and for Africa at the World Bank Group, where he coordinated digital financial inclusion projects across 48 countries.
In 2025, Diop’s policy focus included Web3 infrastructure in Sub-Saharan Africa and tokenized public–private partnership models. His leadership supported partnerships with Layer-1 blockchains for building decentralized ID platforms and programmable financial tools for micro-entrepreneurs. Speaking at the Paris Blockchain Week and the Africa Fintech Forum, Diop underscored crypto’s utility in closing the financing gap for underserved communities.
Diop is recognized globally as a key voice connecting sustainable development with crypto-enabled systems that drive resilience and inclusive growth.
Makhtar Diop: Caribbean countries receive over $235 million for hurricane recovery
Makhtar Diop notes that when hurricanes impact the Caribbean, the consequences extend beyond infrastructure damage, affecting jobs and livelihoods. He highlights that the World Bank Group has ...
Ocean economy could surpass $5 trillion by 2050, Makhtar Diop notes
Makhtar Diop highlights the economic importance of healthy oceans, noting their support for millions of jobs, food security, and climate resilience. He adds that with the ocean economy projected ...
Makhtar Diop: Private capital essential for development in emerging markets
Makhtar Diop highlights the importance of private capital in addressing development needs across emerging markets. He points to the World Bank Group's new London Financial Solutions Hub as a ...
Abdou Ndiaye recognized for contributions to public finance, Makhtar Diop notes
Makhtar Diop congratulates Abdou Ndiaye on winning the inaugural Africa NextGen Economist Prize at the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali. Diop highlights Ndiaye's outstanding contributions to public ...
Makhtar Diop: IFC and Access Bank agree up to $500 million framework for African local currency financing
Makhtar Diop highlights a new agreement aimed at strengthening African businesses through financing aligned with their operating currencies. According to Diop, the International Finance ...
IFC introduces trade finance synthetic securitization for emerging markets, Makhtar Diop notes
Makhtar Diop announced the launch of IFC's inaugural Trade Finance Synthetic Securitization, aiming to mobilize more private capital for trade, businesses, and jobs in emerging markets. This ...
Makhtar Diop: Private capital mobilized for Saudi mortgage finance system
Makhtar Diop, industry influencer, highlights the transformation of Saudi Arabia's housing market. He explains that homeownership was previously limited as buyers had to pay fully in cash. ...
IFC 30by30 program helps scale sustainable finance in Egypt, Makhtar Diop notes
Makhtar Diop, industry influencer, highlights the importance of resilient financial systems for economic resilience. In Egypt, Diop points to the role of IFC's 30by30 program in assisting banks to ...
Makhtar Diop: Supply chain finance expands for African suppliers via new facility
Makhtar Diop, industry influencer, announces a collaboration with Standard Chartered to enhance supply chain finance across Africa. This effort introduces a risk-sharing facility that will enable ...
World Bank Group and France invest $5 billion in emerging markets, Makhtar Diop states
Makhtar Diop, industry influencer, highlights France’s role as a key partner for the World Bank Group and IFC in supporting the private sector across emerging markets. According to Diop, more ...
Makhtar Diop: Securitization drives institutional capital for West Africa SME growth
Makhtar Diop, industry influencer, argues that deepening local capital markets is essential for creating jobs and promoting growth. He highlights how securitization in West Africa is enabling ...
Japan boosts development and private sector growth, Makhtar Diop notes
Makhtar Diop has acknowledged the support of Japan’s Vice Minister of Finance, Atsushi Mimura, underscoring Japan’s strong partnership in advancing development, private sector growth, and ...
Makhtar Diop: Advancing private sector finance to boost investment in fragile regions
Makhtar Diop highlighted a collaboration with Qatar Fund’s DG Fahad Hamad Al Sulaiti to advance a Private Sector Finance Facility. The initiative focuses on de-risking investments and unlocking ...
World Bank expands support across sectors with $1.5B commitment, Makhtar Diop confirms
Makhtar Diop announced a productive discussion with Egypt’s ministerial delegation about expanding collaboration in energy, logistics, agribusiness, manufacturing, tourism, and healthcare. ...
Makhtar Diop: Pakistan commits to reforms and private capital in infrastructure
Pakistan’s ongoing commitment to reform remains clear even during challenging times, according to Makhtar Diop. In his remarks following a meeting with Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Diop ...
Guinea works to strengthen economic appeal, Makhtar Diop notes
Makhtar Diop held a constructive meeting with Sylla Cire, Guinea's minister of economy and finance, to discuss the country's key development priorities. The talks highlighted the significant role ...
Makhtar Diop: IFC strategy in Côte d’Ivoire focuses on jobs and local economic transformation
Makhtar Diop discussed the strategy of IFC in Côte d’Ivoire with Evelyne Deba of NCI Television, focusing on employment as a key priority. He highlighted several important levers for ...
IFC accelerates private sector investment for PND 2026-2030, Makhtar Diop states
Makhtar Diop highlighted his return to Abidjan and reaffirmed the commitment of IFC to supporting Côte d’Ivoire’s National Development Plan (PND) for 2026-2030. Diop emphasized that IFC is ...
Makhtar Diop: IFC invests $400 million in Argentina lithium project
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) announced a $400 million investment, as part of a $1.175 billion financing package, to advance the Rincón Lithium Project in Salta, Argentina. ...
Makhtar Diop reviews IFC investments with UAE partners
Makhtar Diop recently met with H.E. Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, to review collaborations with UAE-based partners like Masdar and AlterraFund. This ...
Makhtar Diop highlights young firms growth potential despite funding gaps
Makhtar Diop emphasizes the significant role that young firms play in driving growth and creating opportunities. Research by IFC_org indicates that these firms in developing economies are ...
