Leila Farah Mokaddem is a prominent figure in African finance, currently serving as the Director-General of Southern Africa for the African Development Bank (AfDB). Her focus on economic inclusion, particularly for women, has driven numerous initiatives, including the African Guarantee Fund, which supports women-led small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) across the continent. Mokaddem’s advocacy for gender-sensitive policies has reshaped development finance, from sustainable funding models to cross-country collaborations aimed at improving women’s financial access.
Mokaddem holds a diploma in management, finance, and public administration from IHEC, and a master’s degree in international business from ISG. She previously served as the Director of Export Policies and Strategies at the Ministry of Economy in Tunisia and later became an advisor to the Minister of Finance in Haiti, contributing to the development of a new Investment Code.
In 2002, she joined the African Development Bank Group as the head of the Financial Institutions Division, focusing on financing the banking sector and micro-finance, particularly supporting women-led SMEs. She played a key role in establishing the “portfolio guarantee” for SMEs managed by women and in the creation of the African Guarantee Fund.
Mokaddem was appointed as AfDB’s resident representative in Egypt in 2014, and later as the country manager for Morocco in 2017. Her current position as the DG of Southern Africa allows her to continue championing economic growth and gender equality across the continent.
Named among the “Most Influential African Women,” Mokaddem continues to inspire and advance Africa’s economic and social landscapes, empowering women entrepreneurs and future policymakers who are essential to transforming the continent’s economy in a rapidly globalizing world.
