Clara de Sousa, a Mozambican national, joined the Bank in 2005 as a senior economist in the Latin America and Caribbean Region Economic Policy Department. Since then, she has held various positions, her most recent assignment being senior economist in the DFI-Development Finance Vice-Presidency. Before joining the World Bank Group, Clara served as executive director at the Mozambique’s central bank.

Based in Luanda, Clara’s top three priorities will be to lead, maintain and further strengthen the relationship and policy dialogue with the government and key stakeholders in Angola and Sao Tome & Principe to help promote sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction, improve governance, and strengthen the business environment; provide leadership and ensure the effective implementation of the Country Partnership Strategy and work program to achieve quality and timely results on the ground; and manage the country office, coach and mentor country office staff, building on the existing professionalism and team spirit.

She holds a Doctorate from the University of Warwick, United Kingdom.