Maria Xafa is a consultant at the World Bank’s Enterprise Analysis Unit (DECEA). Before joining the unit, she worked as a research analyst in the Economics and Private Sector Development Department of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), World Bank Group. She previously held consulting positions in the private sector. Maria received a Master of Science in Finance and Investment Management from the University of London, and a Master of Science in Applied Economics from the University of Maryland, College Park. She is pursuing a Ph.D. in Political Economics from King’s College London.