Makanda joined the Finance, Competitiveness & Innovation’s Financial Inclusion team with a focus on supporting cooperative financial institutions. She previously served as the Global Product Specialist for Microfinance, Access to Finance Advisory, IFC. Her role included managing multi-country facilities with global microfinance networks and development partners. She also led the implementation of new programs in risk management and industry benchmarking, and served as a technical specialist in the design of several capacity building projects. Having joined IFC's microfinance group in 2000, Makanda served as investment or portfolio officer for several projects in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Prior to joining the World Bank, Makanda worked as micro-credit/small business development officer for UNDP/UNIDO in Kenya. She is a graduate of SAIS, The Johns Hopkins University and of the University of Nairobi.