Thomas Farole is an economist with the International Trade Department of the World Bank, where his work focuses on competitiveness, foreign direct investment, and regional economic development. Prior to joining the World Bank in 2009, he was Regional Director with a South African consultancy Kaiser Associates Economic Development. He holds a PhD in economic geography and an MSc in local economic development from the London School of Economics and a BSc in economics and public policy from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.