Private capital mobilisation increased from $35 billion in the 2022 financial year. Combined with the World Bank Group’s own financing, total funding and mobilisation in developing economies exceeded $200 billion in 2026.

“Three years ago, our shareholders and clients were clear: utilise World Bank Group financing and knowledge to mobilise more private capital and become a better partner to the private sector,” World Bank Group President Ajay Banga said.

“We changed how we work to do that, faster, simpler and as one World Bank Group.”

Private capital mobilised for lower-middle-income countries increased from $14 billion in 2022 to $37 billion in 2026. Funding for upper-middle-income countries more than quadrupled from $12 billion to $50 billion.

Mobilisation for low-income countries remained at about $3 billion, reflecting the continuing difficulty of attracting private investment into higher-risk markets.

Africa recorded an increase of nearly 150%, with private capital mobilisation rising from about $9 billion to $22 billion.

The World Bank Group also issued more than $25 billion in guarantees, exceeding the annual target of $20 billion by 2030 four years ahead of schedule.

The World Bank Group Guarantee Platform, established in 2024, provides investors and client countries with a single point of access to guarantee products across the institution. “The result is $112 billion mobilised this year, more than three times where we started,” Banga said.

“But the number only matters if the capital goes where it can create opportunity and jobs.”

About 1.2 billion young people in developing economies are expected to reach working age over the next 10 to 15 years, while only about 420 million jobs are projected to be created.

The private sector generates nine out of every 10 jobs in developing economies, according to the World Bank Group.

The institution is targeting infrastructure and energy, agribusiness, healthcare, tourism and value-added manufacturing because of their potential to create employment at scale.

About 55% of the World Bank Group’s own financing and mobilised capital went to those sectors during the 2026 financial year.

Banga said the institution would continue removing investment barriers, expanding the pool of investors and directing more capital into developing economies. “That is the work ahead: keep removing barriers, keep expanding the pool of investors, and keep driving more capital into developing economies,” Banga said.

–WorldBank/ChannelAfrica–