World Bank Mobilises $22bn Private Capital for Africa

The World Bank Group mobilised approximately $22 billion in private capital across Africa in its 2026 fiscal year, representing an increase of nearly 150 per cent from about $9 billion recorded in 2022.

The figure was disclosed by the World Bank Group as part of its latest review of efforts to increase private-sector investment in developing economies. The institution said the rise reflects changes introduced over the past three years to make it easier for private investors to participate in development projects.

Globally, the World Bank Group mobilised a record $112 billion in private capital in FY26, more than three times the $35 billion recorded in FY22. When combined with the group’s own financing, total financing and mobilisation in developing economies exceeded $200 billion during the fiscal year.

The growth was recorded across different income groups. Private capital mobilisation to lower-middle-income countries increased from $14 billion in FY22 to $37 billion in FY26, while mobilisation to upper-middle-income countries rose from $12 billion to $50 billion. In low-income countries, mobilisation remained at about $3 billion.

The $22bn private capital mobilised across Africa is part of the World Bank Group’s broader strategy to use its financing, guarantees and expertise to attract additional private investment into sectors with potential to create jobs and support economic growth.

The institution said it has been working to improve business and regulatory environments, expand guarantees and local-currency financing, address foreign-exchange challenges and increase opportunities for institutional investors.

The World Bank Group also issued more than $25 billion in guarantees in FY26, exceeding its target of $20 billion in annual guarantee issuance by 2030, four years ahead of schedule. Much of the increase was driven by its Guarantee Platform, established in 2024 to provide investors and clients with a single access point to guarantee products across the institution.

World Bank Group President Ajay Banga said the institution had changed the way it works with the private sector by making its operations faster and simpler and bringing its public and private-sector activities closer together.

The World Bank said the increased focus on private investment is particularly important because of the employment challenge facing developing economies. It estimates that 1.2 billion young people in developing economies will reach working age over the next 10 to 15 years, while only about 420 million jobs are projected to be created.

The institution identified infrastructure and energy, agribusiness, healthcare, tourism and value-added manufacturing as five sectors where stronger investment could unlock significant employment opportunities. It said 55 per cent of its total financing and mobilised capital in FY26 went towards these job-rich sectors.

For Africa, the World Bank Group has separately announced plans to expand its guarantee activities on the continent, saying increased guarantees can help attract private investment into areas including energy, agriculture, healthcare, digital services, finance and infrastructure.