Shabana Khawar is a senior international development executive who brings over two decades of experience across the World Bank Group (WBG) driving private sector growth, financial sector reforms, and strategic investments across South Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Türkiye.

Currently working as IFC’s Manager for Georgia, Ms. Khawar is responsible for implementing the WBG’s strategy, especially focusing on mobilizing private capital to support more and better jobs across the economy. She is overseeing IFC’s operations in Georgia including investment and advisory services, and leading efforts to expand private sector led growth in the financial, infrastructure, manufacturing, agriculture and services sectors.

Prior to this, she served as IFC’s Regional Head of Operations for the Middle East and Central Asia and led banking and financial sector reforms as a Senior Specialist at the World Bank. An expert in investment, private sector development, and economic inclusion for small businesses, Ms. Khawar has held senior leadership positions within the WBG and supported impactful investments across emerging markets, including climate, energy transition, access to finance for micro, small and medium enterprises, gender and youth inclusion.

Ms. Khawar holds an MBA and a Master’s in Finance from Warwick Business School, UK