IFC appoints Saudi finance veteran Abdullah Jefri Division Director GCC, focusing sustainable growth, cross-border investments, and private capital mobilization aligned with national visions.
IFC, the World Bank Group’s private sector arm, has named Abdullah Jefri as Division Director for the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, based in Dubai. The Saudi national will guide strategic engagements to spur sustainable growth, economic diversification, and job creation, mirroring GCC national visions like Saudi Vision 2030 while tackling global challenges such as climate action and inclusion.
Jefri brings nearly 30 years of finance experience across public and private sectors. As IFC’s prior GCC Senior Manager, he forged cross-border investments linking Gulf capital to emerging markets. Previously, as Levant Regional Manager, he managed a $1 billion+ portfolio, unlocking $500 million in new commitments amid fragile contexts like Iraq and Syria, advancing finance access, healthcare, infrastructure, and opportunities for women and entrepreneurs.
Earlier in Washington, D.C., he executed $1.1 billion in emerging market deals. His career began at Saudi American Bank in investment banking and General Dynamics Arabia in accounting. Holding an MBA and MSc in Finance from Boston College, Jefri sees GCC’s moment: GCC is diversifying domestically while channeling capital, expertise, and innovation abroad. IFC stands ready to mobilize private funds, share knowledge, and pioneer solutions.
The role amplifies IFC’s GCC collaboration, channeling sovereign wealth into renewables, infrastructure, and South-South flows.
