Based in Accra, Nathalie Akon leads IFC’s country teams across the West African Gulf of Guinea to strengthen private sector growth, job creation, and inclusive development. Prior to this role, Nathalie served as IFC’s Global Director for the Gender & Economic Inclusion Department, based in Washington DC, USA. 
 She was previously Executive Director at Mastercard Foundation, responsible for the Pan-Africa platform, leading enterprise-wide the programmatic thematic areas of Gender, Entrepreneurship Development, Digital Economy and Agrifood Systems and Climate.
Before joining the Foundation, Nathalie held the position of Partner & Managing Director for Africa at Equator Capital Partners, an impact investment fund manager committed to advancing financial inclusion across Asia and Africa. 
Nathalie served as an independent director on leading African banks, and as Chair of the investment committee of the private sector facility of the African Development Bank Group.