IFC, the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, announced today the appointment of Imad N. Fakhoury as the new Regional Vice President for the Middle East and Central Asia (MCA) region effective July 1, 2026. Based in Dubai, UAE, Fakhoury will lead IFC’s efforts to drive job creation and mobilize private capital at scale across a region that is home to nearly 700 million people.

The MCA region spans a diverse set of economies at varying stages of development, where IFC works to build business enabling environments, foster emerging market investments, and promote a vibrant private sector that can create jobs and opportunities for people.As MCA Vice President, Fakhoury will oversee partnerships across 21 countries and manage an active portfolio exceeding $11 billion.

"I am privileged to serve the region at this critical time by bringing the World Bank Group’s global expertise in private sector development to mobilize private capital, drive growth, support countries transitioning out of fragility, and deliver real solutions to some of the region’s most urgent challenges,” said Fakhoury. "Unlocking the tremendous opportunities across the region, creating quality jobs, diversifying economies, supporting reconstruction in conflict-affected settings, building resilience to global and regional shocks, and helping countries tackle food, water, energy, and financial challenges will be at the heart of our work moving forward,” he continued.

Fakhoury also emphasized the importance of scaling up investments in manufacturing and services, sustainable infrastructure, and innovative, inclusive finance. "Our goal is to help economies attract the capital and expertise they need to strengthen competitiveness and ensure that growth benefits all — especially women, young people, and underserved communities,” he said.

A Jordanian national, Fakhoury brings extensive public and private sector expertise across private investment, public private partnerships (PPPs) and special economic zones, capital mobilization, policy reform to enable private sector solutions, infrastructure and international development, and resilience-based refugee response plans. He most recently served as IFC’s Division Director for South Asia. Fakhoury joined the World Bank Group in 2019 and was previously the Global Director of the Infrastructure Finance, Public Private Partnerships & Guarantees Group at the World Bank.

Before joining the World Bank Group, Fakhoury served in successive Jordanian governments as Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Minister of Public Sector Development, and Minister of State for Mega-projects. He also served as Chief of Staff to His Majesty King Abdullah II and as a senator in Jordan’s parliament. He led development of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone, pioneered mega PPP transactions, and co-founded and served on the boards of several strategic national PPP companies. 

Fakhoury has a bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering, a master's degree in engineering management from Case Western Reserve University, a master’s in public policy from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.