The World Bank Group has mobilised a record $112 billion in private capital for developing economies in its 2026 fiscal year, more than tripling the amount recorded four years earlier.
The global lender disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, saying World Bank private capital mobilisation rose from $35 billion in 2022 to $112 billion in 2026.
Key Highlights
- World Bank private capital mobilisation reaches a record $112 billion in 2026.
- The figure is more than three times the $35 billion recorded in 2022.
- Total World Bank Group financing and mobilisation exceeded $200 billion during the fiscal year.
- Africa’s private capital mobilisation increased from $9 billion in 2022 to about $22 billion in 2026.
- The World Bank issued more than $25 billion in guarantees during the year.
- The lender said it exceeded its $20 billion annual guarantee target four years ahead of schedule.
World Bank Private Capital Mobilisation Hits Record
The World Bank Group said the increase in private capital mobilisation cut across different income groups, although low-income countries continued to face challenges attracting private investment.
Private capital mobilisation in lower-middle-income countries increased to $37 billion in 2026, compared with $14 billion in 2022.
For upper-middle-income countries, mobilisation rose from $12 billion in 2022 to $50 billion in 2026. However, mobilisation for low-income countries remained around $3 billion.
Africa Attracts $22bn In Private Capital
Africa also recorded a significant increase in private capital mobilisation.
According to the World Bank, mobilisation for the continent rose to approximately $22 billion in 2026, compared with $9 billion four years earlier.
The figures form part of the World Bank Group’s broader effort to attract private investment to developing economies alongside public development financing.
Ajay Banga Explains World Bank Strategy
World Bank Group President, Ajay Banga, attributed the increase to reforms introduced over the past three years to make the institution’s operations faster and simpler and improve coordination between its public and private-sector arms.
u201cThree years ago, our shareholders and clients were clear: utilise World Bank Group financing and knowledge to mobilize more private capital and become a better partner to the private sector,u201d Banga said.
He said the institution had changed its operating approach to accelerate private-sector participation in developing economies.
u201cThe result is $112bn mobilised this year, more than three times what we started,u201d Banga said.
Banga added that the World Bank’s next focus would be on removing investment barriers, expanding the pool of investors and directing more private capital towards developing economies where it could support job creation and economic opportunities. The figures were also reported by Reuters, which detailed the initiatives behind the increase.
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World Bank Expands Investment Instruments
The World Bank said it had expanded the financial instruments available to investors, including guarantees and local-currency financing, while taking steps to address foreign-exchange risks.
The institution also increased its use of equity instruments and developed mechanisms to enable institutional investors to participate in developing-market investments at scale.
The measures are intended to address some of the risks that can discourage private investors from committing capital to developing economies.
World Bank Guarantees Exceed $25bn
The World Bank said it issued more than $25 billion in guarantees during the fiscal year, surpassing its $20 billion annual target set for 2030.
The institution said the target was reached four years ahead of schedule.
The growth in guarantees was led by the World Bank Group Guarantee Platform, established in 2024 to provide governments, businesses and investors with a single access point to guarantee products across the institution.
World Bank Seeks More Private Investment
The World Bank said the increase in private capital mobilisation was part of a broader effort to use its financing and risk-sharing instruments to attract private investment alongside public development funding.
The institution said the approach was particularly important for developing economies where perceived investment risks continue to limit access to capital.
It also said it had introduced a single point of contact for its public and private-sector activities in individual countries. The World Bank is also developing integrated country strategies based on local development priorities as part of efforts to improve coordination and increase private-sector investment. For more updates, follow us on X.
