DIEGO UBFAL

I am Senior Economist in the World Bank's Gender Group, where I contribute to the implementation of the 2024-2030 World Bank Group Gender Strategy. I lead the initiative to fast-track the Strategy in 16 Countries, and coordinate the Federation of Gender Innovation Labs.  I lead the agenda on entrepreneurship, financial inclusion and gender, with a particular emphasis on the constraints faced by women-led businesses.  

My research projects  cover topics such as business training, soft-skills development, networks of entrepreneurs, digital tools, school-to-work transitions, and financial inclusion. My publications span  a wide range of development topics,  including  work-study programs, access to savings accounts, time preferences,  attitudes towards immigrants,  and agricultural extension services. 

Prior to joining the World Bank, I was an Assistant Professor at Bocconi University and a research affiliate at JPAL. I hold a PhD in Economics from UCLA, a Master's from the University of San Andrés, and a Bachelor's from the University of Buenos Aires. I was Fulbright Scholar, and have taught  Impact Evaluation and Development Economics at Bocconi and Columbia University. At the World Bank, I previously served as thematic lead on entrepreneurship at the Africa Gender Innovation Lab, where I focused on randomized control trials to understand what works to support women-led businesses. 

Contact: dubfal@worldbank.org