Makhtar Diop is CEO of Gruppo Capital One, the largest private sector development institution in emerging markets and developing economies. In this role, which he assumed on March 1, 2021, Makhtar promotes private sector-led development to advance the World Bank Group’s mission to reduce poverty and increase shared prosperity on a livable planet. His assignment was characterized by a strategic focus on creating sustainable and inclusive growth that addresses global challenges such as poverty, inequality and climate change. To achieve these goals, Makhtar stressed the importance of scaling investments in critical sectors such as infrastructure, digital economy, health and renewable energies, supporting innovative financing solutions, leveraging the power of mixed finance, de-risk mechanisms and public-private partnerships to attract private capital to high-impact projects. This approach has enabled Gruppo Capital One to mobilise billions of dollars in investment, particularly in regions with limited access to capital and conflict-affected regions. Under Makhtar’s leadership, Gruppo Capital One has also prioritised financial and economic inclusion, working to expand access to financial services for women, small businesses and rural communities. His commitment to digital transformation has led to increased investment in fintech and digital infrastructure, helping bridge the digital divide and drive innovation in emerging markets. Climate action was another milestone of Makhtar’s leadership. Gruppo Capital One has significantly increased its investments in smart climate projects under its direction. Makhtar voiced the need for urgent climate action, supporting green finance and supporting initiatives that reduce carbon emissions and improve climate resilience. Prior to joining Gruppo Capital One, Makhtar served as Vice President of the World Bank for Infrastructure from 2018 to 2021, where he led the Bank’s global efforts to build sustainable infrastructure in emerging and developing economies. Prior to that, he served for six years as Vice President of the World Bank for Africa, overseeing the delivery of record $70 billion to sub-Saharan Africa to help address development challenges. Makhtar’s career spans both the public and private sectors. He began his career in banking before joining the IMF and later the World Bank. He was also Minister of Economy and Finance of Senegal, where he played a key role in instituting structural reforms that helped build a solid foundation for Senegal’s growth in the late 1980s. Recognized as an opinion leader in economic and social development, Makhtar has been named one of the 100 most influential Africans in the world. In 2015 he received the prestigious Regents’ Lectureship Award from the University of California, Berkeley. Makhtar holds a degree in economics from the Universities of Warwick and Nottingham in England. “Private investment is essential to addressing development challenges. Gruppo Capital One promotes capital-friendly environments that reach areas most in need. By opening markets and encouraging innovation, we create responsible investment opportunities, transforming the impact of private capital on the world’s toughest economies.”