OPEC Fund

How can development finance help turn global health reform into impact where it matters most? ⬇️

Our President Dr. Abdulhamid Alkhalifa joined the Gavi Leap Dialogue “From Global Reform to Country Leadership and Last-Mile Impact,” co-hosted by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and the Government of Rwanda during .

Speaking alongside leaders from governments, development finance institutions and the global health community, President Alkhalifa highlighted the importance of country ownership in shaping how development investments are prepared, financed and implemented.

He emphasized that national priorities should guide financing, partnerships should make delivery easier for governments, and investments should strengthen the people and institutions needed to sustain quality services over the long term.

The discussion comes as the OPEC Fund and Gavi take forward their recently signed Memorandum of Understanding, bringing development finance and immunization expertise together in support of national health plans. 🌍

From vulnerability to viability: turning ambition into action for climate-vulnerable countries. 🌐

At the Fourth Climate Vulnerable Forum Leaders Meeting during , our President Dr. Abdulhamid Alkhalifa called for continued momentum behind the Vulnerability to Viability (V2V) Compact, launched at the alongside the V20 and financing partners.

Dr. Alkhalifa highlighted the Compact’s focus on making development finance more accessible, effective and better aligned with country priorities, with water, education and health at its core.

He outlined four areas for action: scaling concessional finance, mobilizing private capital, strengthening country ownership and advancing shock-responsive financial instruments.

The OPEC Fund is working with partners to turn these principles into practical action, including through initiatives in health, education and water, as well as ongoing work with Barbados to support progress across the Compact.

“Working together, we can translate our determination to turn vulnerability into viability into meaningful and lasting progress,” said Dr. Alkhalifa. 🤝

Climate Vulnerable Forum and V20 Finance Ministers

Investing in education. Expanding opportunity. 🎓

The OPEC Fund is committing US$400 million for SmartEd Phase II, an initiative to strengthen education systems and expand access to quality learning opportunities in developing countries.

➡️ Our contribution forms part of a US$800 million Arab Coordination Group pledge which, together with US$200 million from Global Partnership for Education, will mobilize US$1 billion.

With more than 270 million children and young people worldwide out of school, SmartEd Phase II will expand support to additional eligible countries, helping governments finance country-led reforms to improve access, learning outcomes and the resilience of education systems.

Our President Dr. Abdulhamid Alkhalifa said: “Investing in education means investing in opportunity, prosperity and peace. Through SmartEd we are pooling our resources with partners to help countries strengthen education systems and give more children and young people the knowledge and skills they need to build better futures based on knowledge, skills and practical expertise.”

🔗 Learn more: https://bit.ly/3V7iF2k

Funding is essential for a development project. But successful implementation also requires strong standards and local ownership. ⬇️

This week, the OPEC Fund is hosting a three-day workshop jointly with the African Development Bank Group, in cooperation with the Netherlands Commission for Environmental Assessment (NCEA), focused on strengthening environmental and social safeguards for African countries.

The workshop brings together government officials from nine African countries, development finance institutions and technical experts to exchange experience, strengthen capacity and support the effective application of environmental and social safeguards in development projects.

Highlighting why these safeguards are critical to achieving lasting impact, our Vice President, Strategy, Musab Alomar said: “In this increasingly complex and challenging environment we must invest responsibly, protect the environment, communities and humans and find durable development outcomes.”

As the second joint event under a two-year capacity-building program launched by the OPEC Fund and AfDB, the workshop continues efforts to strengthen national safeguard systems and support their consistent application, helping create the conditions for sustainable development across Africa. 🤝

Today, our member country Saudi Arabia marks its 96th National Day. 🇸🇦

Under this year’s slogan, “Our Pride Is In Our Nature,” reflects the Kingdom’s heritage and values while looking ahead to its vision for the future.

The OPEC Fund extends its best wishes to the people of on this occasion.

What does development finance need to deliver in a more volatile and fragmented world? 🌍

Our President Dr. Abdulhamid Alkhalifa is leading an OPEC Fund delegation to the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City, bringing this question to discussions with global leaders.

During the week, he will meet with high-level representatives from our partner countries and institutions, attend events and participate in thought leadership panels.

His message is grounded in 50 years of OPEC Fund experience: development is stronger when countries advance together, and development finance must remain dependable, predictable and responsive to countries’ priorities, especially when conditions are most difficult.

Stay tuned as we share updates from . 🤝

How is climate action changing the way development finance is delivered? 🌐

In 2025, the OPEC Fund continued to strengthen the integration of climate considerations across its operations, while expanding and diversifying its climate finance portfolio across sectors and regions.

➡️ Our latest Climate Finance Report provides an overview of our progress in advancing climate action across our operations.

Explore the report: bit.ly/OFCFR26

How do you turn clean energy ambition into power for half a million households?

In Egypt, the answer is taking shape through Abydos II. Combining solar power with battery storage, the project is set to generate more than 3 million MWh of clean electricity every year. 🇪🇬

The OPEC Fund is supporting the project with a US$37 million loan, helping Egypt diversify its energy sources while strengthening energy security, supporting local employment and laying the foundations for long-term development.

➡️ Explore this and other stories from five decades of development in the OPEC Fund’s 50th Anniversary Book: bit.ly/474HvlX

What does greater access to finance mean for an economy where almost every business is an MSME? ⬇️

In Armenia, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) make up 99.9 percent of firms, generate 69 percent of employment and account for 65 percent of GDP. Yet access to finance remains a major constraint, particularly for women-led businesses.

The OPEC Fund is providing a US$35 million syndicated loan to Armeconombank OJSC to expand access to finance for MSMEs across the country and support business growth, jobs and new economic opportunities. 🇦🇲

The financing comprises a US$20 million A-loan from the OPEC Fund’s own account, which may also finance eligible climate-related projects, and a US$15 million B-loan provided by the Allianz Credit Emerging Markets Fund, managed by Allianz Global Investors.

“Armenia’s strong economic growth in recent years has increased demand for financing. By expanding access to capital for micro and small enterprises, this loan will support business growth, job creation and new economic opportunities, including in climate-related investments. Mobilizing private capital alongside our own financing allows us to extend the reach and impact of our support,” said our President Dr. Abdulhamid Alkhalifa.

🔗 For more information: bit.ly/4AfmJO1

Five decades of partnership with Tanzania. 🇹🇿

Since 1976, the OPEC Fund has extended 43 project loans totaling around US$570 million, supporting development across energy, education, health, agriculture, water and sanitation, and transport and storage.

Building on 50 years of cooperation, our President Dr. Abdulhamid Alkhalifa welcomed a delegation led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation of Tanzania, HE Mahmoud Thabit Kombo.

Discussions focused on the implementation of current projects and new initiatives, including support for clean cooking, closely aligned with the OPEC Fund’s strategic priorities on energy access, climate action and sustainable development.

Dr. Alkhalifa reiterated the OPEC Fund’s commitment to Tanzania’s development priorities, with a focus on improving livelihoods, enhancing rural productivity and fostering inclusive economic growth. 🤝