Abdullah Zeini Jefri
Division Director,
GCC International Finance Corporation - World Bank Group
United Arab Emirates
Abdullah Jefri is the Division Director for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group and the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. With more than 25 years of global experience in finance and investments, Abdullah leads IFC’s strategic engagement across the GCC, overseeing regional operations and client relationships, driving investment and advisory programs aligned with WBG priorities, and advancing private sector–led development to support economic diversification and sustainable growth across the region.
Previously, Abdullah served as IFC’s Regional Manager for the Levant countries, where he oversaw a portfolio exceeding $1 billion and facilitated more than $500 million in new investments across fragile and conflict affected contexts including Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria. Under his leadership, IFC delivered investments and advisory programs that expanded access to finance, improved healthcare and critical infrastructure, and created economic opportunities for women, entrepreneurs, and forcibly displaced communities.
Prior to his regional leadership roles, Abdullah spent over a decade at IFC headquarters in Washington, D.C., originating and executing equity and debt transactions and managing a diverse portfolio across Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia. He led or co-led the execution of more than $1.1 billion in investments across sectors including petrochemicals, fertilizers, manufacturing, agribusiness, healthcare, and education.
In addition to his operational work, Abdullah has published articles on finance, contributed expert commentary on sustainable development to regional and international media, and served as a financial advisor and weekly commentator for CNBC Arabia.
Before joining IFC, Abdullah worked in investment banking at the Saudi American Bank (then affiliated with Citibank and now part of Saudi National Bank) and began his career as an Accounting Supervisor at General Dynamics Arabia. He holds an MBA and an MSc in Finance from Boston College.
Previously, Abdullah served as IFC’s Regional Manager for the Levant countries, where he oversaw a portfolio exceeding $1 billion and facilitated more than $500 million in new investments across fragile and conflict affected contexts including Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria. Under his leadership, IFC delivered investments and advisory programs that expanded access to finance, improved healthcare and critical infrastructure, and created economic opportunities for women, entrepreneurs, and forcibly displaced communities.
Prior to his regional leadership roles, Abdullah spent over a decade at IFC headquarters in Washington, D.C., originating and executing equity and debt transactions and managing a diverse portfolio across Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia. He led or co-led the execution of more than $1.1 billion in investments across sectors including petrochemicals, fertilizers, manufacturing, agribusiness, healthcare, and education.
In addition to his operational work, Abdullah has published articles on finance, contributed expert commentary on sustainable development to regional and international media, and served as a financial advisor and weekly commentator for CNBC Arabia.
Before joining IFC, Abdullah worked in investment banking at the Saudi American Bank (then affiliated with Citibank and now part of Saudi National Bank) and began his career as an Accounting Supervisor at General Dynamics Arabia. He holds an MBA and an MSc in Finance from Boston College.
Sessions
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Scaling Food Security Across the Global South – Power and Potential26 Jan 2026North Pavilion