About the Breaking Barriers At Work Series
IFC teams often work on particularly complex development projects, facing major challenges and obstacles, especially in some of the world's most fragile places. In this series, we share how they are breaking barriers at work, often against all odds, highlighting their approaches and sharing lessons that can also be useful to others. The focus of this round of stories is on manufacturing, agribusiness, and services in the Middle East, Central Asia, Türkiye, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
Overall, projects that support education and skills development can be life-changing, especially in places affected by conflict and fragility.
In this story, Ashraf Bouajina shares her experience working in this space, the barriers caused by conflict and fragility, and how she and the broader IFC team address them to ensure success.
About Ashraf
Born and raised in Paris, Ashraf started her career in law but soon decided to work in development. In 2014, she joined the World Bank Group (WBG) team which advises governments on Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).
In 2020, Ashraf moved to IFC’s Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services team which focuses on identifying markets that present interesting opportunities for the private sector. She has been working on conducting diagnostics, identifying bottlenecks to private sector investments, and designing WBG interventions to unlock them, with the ultimate goal to pave the way for new investments on high-impact projects.
More specifically, Ashraf currently spearheads education initiatives in fragile and conflict-affected environments with a special focus on the Middle East and Afghanistan.
“Students in fragile places in the Middle East and Afghanistan often face barriers to accessing education, including absence of necessary education infrastructure, shortage of education providers, family education preferences, mobility restrictions, and lack of local employment opportunities.”
Ashraf’s Approach
Working closely with different teams including industry specialists and economists across IFC, the World Bank, and other entities operating on the ground, Ashraf and the broader IFC team design impactful projects that leverage IFC’s extensive experience with the private sector in conflict-affected environments. This includes developing training courses for skills development; helping identify mentorship support and internship opportunities; and equipping participants with relevant and marketable skills and linking them to the job market.
In the case of Afghanistan, Ashraf’s main objective is to empower young women by teaching them market-relevant skills, enabling them to earn an income, and achieving financial independence. The program involves partnerships with private education providers to develop online courses in technology and digital skills, enabling women to learn new and marketable skills and to work remotely.
Furthermore, the IFC team is engaged in the development and refurbishment of co-working spaces equipped with internet access to support displaced students in pursuing their education and to enable displaced teachers to continue their instructional duties. These initiatives do not only provide educational and practical skills but also maintain essential employment for educators, thereby contributing to the overall economic stability of the region.
“Creating income generation opportunities for students is Ashraf’s top priority. She aims to create an ecosystem conducive to learning and employment by connecting education providers, students, and employers; pushing for the development of marketable skills; and leveraging IFC’s network to link students with diaspora businesses.”
The Takeaway
Ashraf is driven by the belief that working in development means finding transformative solutions that can positively and sustainably impact lives.
The adage, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going,” inspires her to design innovative projects and navigate challenges with a positive mindset. In terms of working in fragile settings, she emphasizes the importance of having diverse teams and contingency plans.
“Working in fragile places in the Middle East and Afghanistan requires to constantly have your eyes on the ground, your hands on the wheel to pivot, and your team fueled by fierce determination to make it all happen, often against all odds.”
Interview by Bilal Kobeissi