Country Director, West and Central Africa

Norman Messer

Norman Messer is responsible for IFAD’s investment portfolio in the countries assigned to him in WCA. This involves leading design and supervision missions as well as day-to-day activities such as providing “no objections” to project expenditures and reviewing their withdrawal applications. He represents IFAD vis-à-vis client governments.

Before joining IFAD, Messer worked for FAO and as a freelance consultant for IFIs, as well as in the private sector. He had been with the FAO Investment Centre in the Asia and Pacific Region before returning to the Fund in 2021.

Messer holds degrees from LSE and SOAS (both in London, UK), and collaborates with several universities on courses related to rural development.