Mimi Alemayehou is the Senior Vice President for Public Private Partnerships at Mastercard and a globally respected investment leader whose career spans international finance, development institutions, and corporate strategy. With decades of experience across multilateral organizations and global corporations, Mimi has played a defining role in mobilizing capital, strengthening investment ecosystems, and advancing Africa’s position within the global economy. Her leadership reflects a rare blend of policy insight, financial expertise, and strategic execution.
Mimi’s journey is grounded in a strong academic and international foundation. Born in Ethiopia and raised across multiple countries, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of California, San Diego, and later obtained a Master’s degree in International Finance and Business from Columbia University. Her global upbringing and education shaped her perspective on economic development, cross border investment, and the importance of inclusive growth.
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Over the course of her career, Mimi has held senior leadership roles across some of the world’s most influential institutions. She served as Executive Vice President of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, where she oversaw a multi billion dollar investment portfolio supporting private sector development in emerging markets. She also held senior roles at the International Finance Corporation and the World Bank, focusing on infrastructure finance, project development, and investment strategy. At Mastercard, she now leads initiatives that drive partnerships between governments and the private sector to expand digital economies and financial inclusion.
Mimi Alemayehou’s contributions have earned international recognition. She has been featured among the most influential African women in global finance and has received honors for her leadership in development finance and investment promotion. She has also served on several high level advisory boards, including the U.S. African Development Foundation, reinforcing her influence in shaping policy and investment frameworks that support economic growth across Africa.
Looking ahead, Mimi continues to champion innovative financing models, digital transformation, and cross sector partnerships that unlock opportunity across emerging markets. Through her leadership, she is helping to shape a future where investment flows more efficiently into Africa, empowering businesses, strengthening institutions, and driving sustainable economic transformation on a global scale.
