Amman, Jordan, September 14, 2026 – IFC, the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, has appointed Thomas Jacobs as Division Director for the Levant, Iraq, and Yemen. He will lead IFC’s work in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and West Bank and Gaza, succeeding Khawaja Aftab Ahmed after four years in the role.
Based in Amman, Mr. Jacobs will work closely with business communities, governments, development partners, and others to mobilize private capital to create more and better jobs across the region.
His priorities include improving conditions for private sector participation, addressing infrastructure gaps, strengthening water security, increasing access to finance (especially for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs)), advancing digitalization, and creating opportunities for women and young people.
Mr. Jacobs joined the World Bank Group in 2003 and has extensive experience in finance, advisory services, and private sector development, including senior roles in Cairo and Beirut supporting countries across the Middle East and North Africa. Before assuming his current role, he served as Interim Division Director for East Asia and the Pacific, and as Country Manager for Viet Nam, Lao PDR, and Cambodia.
About IFC
IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2025, IFC committed a record $71.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging private sector solutions and mobilizing private capital to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.
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