Corporate Governance

The International Finance Corporation's direct work with client companies from more than 80 countries on board practices, shareholder rights, the internal control environment, and transparency and disclosure gives us expertise, network and knowledge to be a leader in the area of corporate governance in emerging markets.


The IFC Corporate Governance Methodology employs specialized assessment tools tailored to the different governance priorities of publicly listed companies, founder and family-owned firms, financial institutions, newly privatized enterprises, and state-owned enterprises. We use this methodology as an input into our risk analysis and investment decision process, and to assist our client companies in improving their governance practices.

The Corporate Governance Unit provides focused corporate governance training to the IFC investment staff, advises IFC senior management on share-voting policies, nominations of directors to the boards of client firms, and conducts director training programs for IFC-nominated members of boards of investee companies. The Unit also leads IFC's participation in the global dialogue on corporate governance with key partners such as the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development.


Corporate Governance Advisory Services

IFC’s corporate governance advisory services assist clients to improve or adopt sound corporate governance practices. These practices help strengthen their operations and improve performance, lower their costs, attract investments and provide greater access to financing. A main focus of these advisory services is private sector companies and banks. This work also contributes more broadly to IFC's mission to promote sustainable private sector investment in developing countries. Educational institutions such as universities, policy makers, NGOs and the media also gain from these advisory services through different activities. IFC's corporate governance advisory services work in close coordination with the Corporate Governance Unit and the Global Corporate Governance Forum.



Regional Advisory Services Corporate Governance Projects and Coordinators