In a world where tariffs are rewriting alliances and trade is once again a tool of statecraft, few development leaders sit closer to the intersection of finance, diplomacy, and geopolitics than Sergio Díaz‑Granados Guida. As Executive President of CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, Díaz-Granados is helping reposition Latin America and the Caribbean not as a region reacting to global shocks, but as one shaping solutions in a rapidly evolving world order.
From National Leadership to Regional Power Broker
A Colombian lawyer trained in public administration and constitutional law, Díaz-Granados rose through national politics with a focus on economic integration and competitiveness. As Colombia’s Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, he worked at the frontlines of trade policy, navigating negotiations and market access at a time when globalization still promised stability.
That experience now informs his regional leadership. Sergio Díaz‑Granados Guida understands trade not just as economics, but as leverage, diplomacy, and development strategy rolled into one.
Redefining CAF’s Mission
Since taking the helm at CAF, Díaz-Granados has pushed the institution beyond its traditional role as an infrastructure lender. Under his leadership, CAF has accelerated its transformation into a development bank centered on climate action, inclusion, and resilience.
CAF now channels record levels of financing into renewable energy, climate adaptation, sustainable cities, biodiversity protection, and human development. The institution has also expanded its membership and capital base, strengthening its ability to act quickly and at scale when countries face overlapping economic, climate, and social pressures.
This shift has positioned CAF as both a financial engine and a strategic actor in the global development system.
Climate Finance as Strategic Influence
Sergio Díaz‑Granados Guida has been widely recognized for elevating climate finance as a core pillar of development rather than a parallel agenda. His leadership helped advance innovative tools such as large-scale debt-for-nature mechanisms and blended finance structures that unlock capital while preserving fiscal space for governments.
That approach earned him a place among TIME’s most influential climate leaders, not for rhetoric, but for results that move capital and reshape incentives.
Trade, Tariffs, and the New Diplomacy
As global trade fragments and tariffs return as instruments of power, Díaz-Granados has argued that development banks must adapt. In his view, sustainable finance, trade policy, and diplomacy are no longer separate lanes.
CAF’s work increasingly reflects this reality. The institution supports countries as they navigate supply chain realignments, protect strategic sectors, and integrate sustainability into trade and investment decisions. In doing so, CAF is helping governments turn global volatility into opportunity rather than vulnerability.
A Region of Solutions
Díaz-Granados often describes Latin America and the Caribbean as a region of solutions, rich in natural capital, clean energy potential, and human talent. His strategy at CAF aims to convert those assets into long-term prosperity by aligning finance with national priorities and regional cooperation.
At a moment when the global development model is being renegotiated in real time, Sergio Díaz‑Granados Guida stands out as a leader shaping what comes next. Not by resisting change, but by using it.
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