IFC Audio Stories

By IFC

What's IFC Audio Stories about?

IFC Audio Stories feature voices from a wide range of experts and stories on investment opportunities in emerging markets, trends that are reshaping economies, and the private sector’s role in creating jobs and addressing development challenges.

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IFC Audio Stories episodes:

06.20.2024
From Energy Scarcity to Entrepreneurial Success for 10,000 Women
IFC chats with Olasimbo (“Simbo”) Sojinrin, Chief Operating Officer of Solar Sister, a leading provider of portable solar home systems in Kenya, Nigeria, and Tanzania that is working at the intersection of gender equality, climate justice, and energy access. Working...
06.18.2024
Voices of Innovation: The 2024 World Bank Youth Summit
On this episode of IFC Audio Stories we explore the 11th edition of the World Bank Group Youth Summit, where thousands of young innovators converged to address global development challenges. This year's theme, "Powering Progress: Youth Leading the Digital Transformation,"...
05.30.2024
Leveraging Digital Tech for African Business Growth
In the latest episode of IFC Audio Stories, we delve into the research behind the International Finance Corporation's book, "Digital Opportunities in African Businesses." The episode features insights from IFC principal economist Marcio Cruz on the underutilization of digital tools...
04.19.2024
Powering Africa: The Private Sector's Role in Africa’s Energy Transformation
At the 2024 Spring Meetings, World Bank Group President Ajay Banga announced an ambitious commitment to bring energy access to 300 million people in Africa by 2030, in partnership with the African Development Bank. But what will it take to...
03.25.2024
Designing for Women: Tailoring Financial Solutions to Close the Gender Gap
In this episode of IFC Audio Stories we discuss women's economic empowerment with Jessica Schnabel, the Global Head of Banking on Women at IFC. Designing for women is a game-changing approach, says Jessica, as she shares insights on gender-focused financial...
03.22.2024
Private Sector Strategies for Water Sustainability
This World Water Day, IFC Audio Stories dives into the crucial topic of water. Host Lindy Mtongana is joined by IFC's Lalrin Sailo and George Butler to explore IFC's work in supporting emerging markets in meeting their sustainable development goals...
03.13.2024
Her Fintech Edge: Closing the Gender Gap in Financial Services
In this episode of IFC Audio Stories, host Lindy Mtongana is in conversation with the leads of a new report launched by IFC: Her Fintech Edge - Market Insights for Inclusive Growth. Anushe Khan and Jorge Godoy discuss the role...
12.11.2023
Private Sector Solutions at the Global Refugee Forum
In this episode of IFC Audio Stories, host Lindy Mtongana explores the growing global displacement crisis with Michel Botzung, Head of the IFC-UNHCR Joint Initiative. With over 114 million forcibly displaced people globally, Michel discusses the upcoming 2023 Global Refugee...
11.29.2023
Road to COP28: IFC's Agenda at COP28
In the concluding episode of the Road to Cop28 Series on IFC Audio Stories, Jamie Fergusson IFC’s Global Director for Climate Business, provides an insightful preview of the upcoming summit. He outlines IFC’s agenda and commitment to achieving low-carbon resilient...
11.29.2023
Road to COP28: IFC's Wisdom on Water
In this episode, Lindy Mtongana sits down with Rogerio Pilotto, a Senior Investment Officer in IFC’s Global Water team to discuss the crucial role of water in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Rogerio emphasizes how private sector investment in commercially...
11.13.2023
Road to COP28: Finance for a Changing Climate
With COP28 just weeks away, Lindy Mtongana sits down with IFC’s Global Head of Climate Finance, William Beloe to discuss the intersection between climate and finance, and how IFC’s partnerships with financial institutions are crucial to climate action.
10.27.2023
Road to Cop28: IFC’s Green Hydrogen Vision
IFC is embarking on the Road to COP28 with a mission to accelerate the transition to low-carbon, resilient markets. In this episode of IFC Audio Stories, Lindy Mtongana is joined by IFC’s Chief Investment Officer for Global Energy, Ignacio De...
09.19.2023
Empowering Africa’s Creative Artisans through E-Commerce
As the world increasingly embraces e-commerce, IFC is partnering with an African startup to ensure the continent’s creative artisans don't get left behind. In its first foray into Africa’s creative sector IFC has invested $3.4 million in ANKA - an...
06.20.2023
In Conversation with Ricardo Tafur and Peter Lolem
This episode of IFC Audio Stories delves into the importance of private sector solutions to the refugee crisis. IFC Senior Operations Officer Ricardo Tafur discusses a new partnership with UNHCR that aims to empower refugees and host communities through access...
06.13.2023
Insights from the Africa CEO Forum 2023
This year's Africa CEO Forum saw 2,200 participants gathering in Abidjan, Cote D'Ivoire for the largest private sector assembly in Africa. Co-hosted by IFC and Jeune Afrique, the event placed a strong emphasis on scaling up African businesses and fostering...
04.17.2023
Spotlighting gender at the Spring Meetings
In this episode of IFC Audio Stories we take a look back at the Spring Meetings, with highlights from an IFC-led event on women's leadership and economic empowerment. Listen as industry leaders, including Melinda French Gates and IFC Managing Director Makhtar Diop,...
09.12.2022
She Powers Africa – Ep. 03: Being a Champion for African Girls to Explore STEM Careers
In the third episode of She Powers Africa, IFC chats with Carol Koech, the Country President for Schneider East Africa. Koech shares her career journey and why she’s a champion for African girls to explore STEM careers.
08.22.2022
She Powers Africa - Ep 02: Olaedo Osoka, Leading as an African Woman in the Renewable Energy Sector
In the second episode of She Powers Africa, IFC chats with Olaedo Osoka, CEO of Daystar Power in West Africa. Osoka shares her experience as one of the youngest female CEOs in Africa’s renewable energy space and the importance of building...
03.14.2022
She Powers Africa - Ep 01: Jennifer Boca, Head of ESG at Lekela Power, on Africa’s renewable energy sector
In She Powers Africa, IFC chats with Jennifer Boca, Head of ESG at Lekela Power, on stepping forward into Africa’s renewable energy sector.
11.23.2021
Future Keepers - Ep 03: Governance and keeping an open door with Jay Bartlett
For the final episode of this Pacific mini-series, IFC talks to Hatanga Managing Director Jay Bartlett about why it’s important to demonstrate high standards of governance, and, as the boss, keep an open door. For more information about IFC’s work, please...
11.08.2021
Future Keepers - Ep 02: Leadership and the Pacific’s strong women with Dame Meg Taylor
In the second episode of this Pacific mini-series, IFC talks to Dame Meg Taylor, former Secretary-General of the Pacific Islands Forum about what it means for women to be in leadership positions.
10.25.2021
Future Keepers Ep 01- Resilience and risk with Nikita Patel
For the first part of this Pacific mini-series, IFC talks to Vinod Patel & Company Chief Financial Officer Nikita Patel to discuss what organizational resilience looks like now. For more information about IFC’s work, please see: IFC’s work on...
05.19.2021
India’s COVID-19 crisis: ‘There is no normal’
Bad news is the only news that Manuela de Souza, an IFC communications officer in Goa, India, hears these days. Since a highly transmissible second wave of COVID-19 infections began coursing through India, causing a record number of deaths, de...
08.13.2020
Racism at Home and Abroad: A Conversation Between Friends
Two long-time friends, one African-American and the other a U.S.-based Ugandan national, share their experiences of institutional racism on two continents and exchange ideas about how to handle racial bias in international development. In a conversation recorded earlier this month,...

What's IFC Audio Stories about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

IFC Audio Stories episodes:

From Energy Scarcity to Entrepreneurial Success for 10,000 Women

Voices of Innovation: The 2024 World Bank Youth Summit

Leveraging Digital Tech for African Business Growth

Powering Africa: The Private Sector's Role in Africa’s Energy Transformation

Designing for Women: Tailoring Financial Solutions to Close the Gender Gap

Private Sector Strategies for Water Sustainability

Her Fintech Edge: Closing the Gender Gap in Financial Services

Private Sector Solutions at the Global Refugee Forum

Road to COP28: IFC's Agenda at COP28

Road to COP28: IFC's Wisdom on Water

Road to COP28: Finance for a Changing Climate

Road to Cop28: IFC’s Green Hydrogen Vision

Empowering Africa’s Creative Artisans through E-Commerce

In Conversation with Ricardo Tafur and Peter Lolem

Insights from the Africa CEO Forum 2023

Spotlighting gender at the Spring Meetings

She Powers Africa – Ep. 03: Being a Champion for African Girls to Explore STEM Careers

She Powers Africa - Ep 02: Olaedo Osoka, Leading as an African Woman in the Renewable Energy Sector

She Powers Africa - Ep 01: Jennifer Boca, Head of ESG at Lekela Power, on Africa’s renewable energy sector

Future Keepers - Ep 03: Governance and keeping an open door with Jay Bartlett

Future Keepers - Ep 02: Leadership and the Pacific’s strong women with Dame Meg Taylor

Future Keepers Ep 01- Resilience and risk with Nikita Patel

India’s COVID-19 crisis: ‘There is no normal’

Racism at Home and Abroad: A Conversation Between Friends