Zeeshan Sheikh has been selected as the IFC‘s new country manager for Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Sheikh will work to increase private sector investment in key sectors by leveraging IFC’s global knowledge and influence as a preferred partner for both governmental and private sector stakeholders.
In 2010, Sheikh, a British national, joined IFC. He has considerable experience working on public-private partnerships and innovative infrastructure initiatives throughout the Middle East and North Africa, particularly in frontier areas such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Jordan. He relocated to Washington, D.C. in 2018 to support the IFC’s regional activities in Europe, Central Asia, and Latin America.
He spent several years in London working in corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, and private equity investments before joining IFC.
“Zeeshan’s extensive experience and expertise across numerous industries and geographies will be essential in growing IFC’s work in the region,” said IFC Regional Director for the Middle East, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, Khawaja Aftab Ahmed.
Sheikh enters a region that has been devastated by COVID-19 and years of geopolitical turmoil. Afghanistan is experiencing a humanitarian and economic catastrophe, and one out of every five Pakistanis lives in poverty. Despite these obstacles, the region offers tremendous prospects for private sector involvement.
Sheikh’s top priority as country manager will be to enhance the IFC’s engagement in critical areas like banking, climate, agribusiness, export-oriented manufacturing, and infrastructure.
In order to promote critical areas of policy reform, IFC will collaborate closely with other World Bank Group members and external development partners.
“I am ecstatic to have the opportunity to lead IFC’s activities in this critical region and collaborate closely with our public and private sector partners to help Pakistan and Afghanistan achieve sustainable and inclusive development,” Sheikh said.
To read our blog on “Pakistan Kuwait Investment Company and R.J. Fleming & Co. join hands to launch a Pakistan focused Private Equity Fund!” click here.
