Atsuko, a Japanese citizen, is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience with international institutions. Atsuko joined the Bank in December 2016 as Director of the Agriculture Finance and Rural Infrastructure Development Department. In her current function, she is responsible for the Bank’s investments in private sector agribusiness companies, mainstreaming disaster risk finance, and development of Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs) across the African Continent.

 

Atsuko brings to this new role extensive working experience in development finance and rural development accumulated both in Asia and Africa. She held management positions in diverse cultural working environments and was able to build client-oriented, highly motivated, performance driven teams in autonomous offices and headquarters.

 

Before joining the Bank, Atsuko worked at the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), on rural development projects in Asia and Africa. Between 2004 and 2012, she held several positions in different emerging countries of Asia including Vietnam, Laos, Nepal. In 2012, Atsuko moved to Africa as the IFAD Country Director for the Nigeria country programme. Having managed a portfolio of rural development and value chain projects, Atsuko has a personal commitment to innovation in projects and investments that reach people.

 

Atsuko holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the International Christian University, Japan; a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Doshisha University, Japan and a Diploma in Developmental Studies from Cambridge University, United Kingdom.