Based in Beirut since September 2008, Tom Jacobs has been responsible for IFC’s activities in Lebanon while leading select IFC projects throughout the MENA region.  Previously, Mr. Jacobs spent 4 years in Cairo helping to launch and manage IFC’s access to finance advisory services practice in MENA focused primarily on leasing, credit reporting and microfinance, among others.  He has worked extensively across the MENA region, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia. 

Mr. Jacobs has over 15 years experience advising and funding micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, primarily in developing markets.  Before joining the IFC in January 2003, he helped launch a corporate finance group in London specialized in early-stage companies.  From 1996-1999, Mr. Jacobs was Country Manager for a developmental investment fund in the former Soviet Union where he managed SME lending and equity portfolios.  He has also worked in manufacturing and commercial banking in the United States.

His educational background includes a Masters of Arts in International Relations from The Johns Hopkins University School for Advanced International Studies and an MBA in International Business from Rutgers University.