Health & Education

Private education is making a significant contribution to emerging market countries where many governments encourage it while seeking to ensure that such provision meets appropriate standards. IFC considers education a strategic priority and has become increasingly involved in this sector over the past decade. Our role includes direct investment in companies, sharing industry knowledge and experience, and informing government policy.  IFC’s aim is to work with clients and partners to expand access to affordable quality education for lower- and middle-income groups, thereby enhancing social mobility.  We also seek to introduce innovative means of financing and delivering services; improve standards of quality and efficiency; facilitate the international exchange of best practice; help students and institutions obtain access to finance; provide job opportunities for skilled professionals; and complement the public sector to achieve national education goals.

IFC supports the start-up or expansion of initiatives in primary, secondary, technical and vocational, and tertiary education. We work with local and regional clients to create centers of excellence; provide services that reach beyond main urban centers to lower-income groups; and support economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable projects.  Our investment work is complemented by advisory services, such as, improving the business environment, value-added training, studies that facilitate new products, and corporate governance.

As part of its new global agenda, IFC is leveraging its knowledge and understanding of private education to work more closely with providers based in developed economies who are looking to expand their investments into under-served developing countries.  Our strategy is to encourage and provide financing for the expansion of these global providers into new markets to build capacity and increase access to services. Developing country companies also benefit from global knowledge and expertise.