Vera Songwe

Vera Songwe, a distinguished economist and banking executive from Cameroon, has made significant contributions to the financial landscape of Africa and beyond. With a career that began at the World Bank in nineteen ninety-eight, she dedicated nearly two decades to advancing economic development until her departure in two thousand fifteen.

Following her tenure at the World Bank, Songwe took on the role of regional director for Western and Central Africa at the International Finance Corporation from two thousand fifteen to two thousand seventeen. Her leadership in this position further solidified her reputation as a key figure in the economic sector.

In a historic achievement, Vera Songwe became the first woman to lead the United Nations' Economic Commission for Africa at the level of Under-Secretary-General. This milestone not only highlights her exceptional capabilities but also her commitment to promoting gender equality in leadership roles.

Currently, she serves as a non-resident Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution's Africa Growth Initiative, where she continues to influence economic policy and development strategies across the continent.