NAIROBI, Kenya — The United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has appointed Selam Demissie as its new Regional Managing Director for East Africa, strengthening the agency’s presence in Kenya and signalling a renewed push to expand US-backed private investment across the region.
The appointment was announced in Nairobi on January 29, 2026, on the sidelines of US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau’s visit, underscoring Kenya’s growing role as a strategic hub for American economic and development engagement in Africa.
In her new role, Demissie will oversee DFC-supported projects across East Africa, deploying the agency’s full range of financial tools, including debt financing, loan guarantees, political risk insurance, and equity investments.
DFC said her mandate will focus on promoting market-driven growth while aligning investments with broader US foreign policy and national security priorities.
She will also build on the work of the DFC’s East Africa Investment Advisor, leveraging existing research, institutional partnerships and active investment pipelines to expand regional strategies and attract investors in priority sectors such as energy, agriculture, infrastructure, health and technology.
“Kenya is a strategic partner and a regional anchor for advancing US interests in East Africa,” DFC Chief Executive Officer Ben Black said.
“A strong DFC presence in Kenya is critical to sourcing investment opportunities that benefit both nations and deepen our bilateral partnership. With DFC’s expanded investment capacity and powers under reauthorisation, we are strengthening our ability to advance US foreign policy and economic development through more ambitious investments,” he added.
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said the appointment reflects the central role DFC plays in mobilising private-sector capital in strategically important partner countries.
“DFC plays a critical role in advancing US national security and foreign policy objectives by mobilising private-sector investment in strategic partner countries, such as Kenya,” Landau said.
“A strengthened presence in Kenya positions DFC to deliver impactful work that fosters long-term stability and prosperity for both the United States and East Africa,” he added.
Demissie brings extensive experience in development finance and private-sector engagement across emerging markets.
Since joining DFC, she has supported energy and agriculture projects across Africa and Latin America through debt facilities and loan guarantees, with a focus on reducing risk and improving the bankability of large-scale investments.
Before joining DFC, she led programmes aimed at strengthening private-sector frameworks to expand access to energy, positioning her as a key figure in unlocking private capital for development-oriented projects.
According to the US Embassy in Nairobi, Sub-Saharan Africa is currently the second-largest region in DFC’s global portfolio, with more than $10 billion (Sh1.3 trillion) in exposure.
The scale of investment highlights Africa’s growing importance in advancing DFC’s development mandate and the United States’ broader economic and strategic objectives on the continent.
