Tariye Gbadegesin

Tariye Gbadegesin is a Nigerian-American business executive and authority in climate finance, serving as chief executive officer of the Climate Investment Funds. As the first African woman to hold this position, Gbadegesin oversees one of the world’s largest multilateral climate funds, with more than $12 billion in pledges and a mandate to accelerate clean energy transitions and climate-smart development in low- and middle-income countries. Under her leadership, the Climate Investment Funds has developed capital markets mechanisms, unlocking additional financing and supporting projects across more than 80 countries.

Prior to her role at the Climate Investment Funds, Gbadegesin was chief executive officer of ARM-Harith Infrastructure Investments, a Pan-African infrastructure fund focused on energy transition and climate-resilient infrastructure. She also served as co-chair of the Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative, supporting high-integrity carbon markets for global climate action. Her career includes roles at the International Monetary Fund, Boston Consulting Group, and Price Waterhouse Coopers, as well as advisory positions with organizations such as the Climate Policy Initiative’s Global Innovation Lab for Climate Finance, the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investing, and the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero.

Gbadegesin has expertise in mobilizing capital for sustainable infrastructure and advancing climate solutions globally. She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Amherst College and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Gbadegesin is a public speaker who appears at international forums, including the Milken Institute Global Conference and the Hamburg Sustainability Conference, sharing insights on climate finance, infrastructure development, and sustainable investment.