OPEC Fund signs first-ever loan to Fiji to strengthen national health services

December 1, 2025: The OPEC Fund for International Development (the OPEC Fund) has signed a US$30 million loan agreement with the Government of Fiji to support the “Pacific Healthy Islands Transformation (PHIT) Project”, a major initiative to modernize health services and improve access to quality care across the country. The agreement was signed in Suva by OPEC Fund President Abdulhamid Alkhalifa and Minister of Finance Esrom Immanuel during the OPEC Fund President’s high-level mission to Fiji.

The PHIT Project will modernize and expand access to quality health services nationwide, with a strong focus on Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) prevention, early detection and treatment. The project also aims to strengthen Fiji’s health system through “Networks of Care,” improved service delivery pathways and enhanced resilience to climate and health shocks. PHIT forms part of a wider regional initiative to bolster health systems across Pacific Small Island Developing States.

OPEC Fund President Dr. Abdulhamid Alkhalifa said: 

“Today marks an important milestone; our first loan to Fiji and the start of a long-term partnership. The PHIT project will enhance access to quality healthcare, strengthen Fiji’s resilience and help tackle the growing burden of Non-Communicable Diseases. We are proud to join the Government of Fiji and our development partners to deliver tangible improvements for communities across the country.”

The OPEC Fund’s US$30 million loan forms part of a broader partnership with the World Bank Group and the Asian Development Bank to strengthen Fiji’s health sector. The project will reinforce regional health systems, modernize national services and infrastructure, and improve data-driven decision making and regional learning. It is fully aligned with Fiji’s National Development Plan and the Ministry of Health’s strategic priorities, while also supporting the OPEC Fund’s Climate Action Plan and contributing to key Sustainable Development Goals.

About the OPEC Fund

The OPEC Fund for International Development (the OPEC Fund) is the only globally mandated development institution that provides financing from member countries to non-member countries exclusively. The organization works in cooperation with developing country partners and the international development community to stimulate economic growth and social progress in low- and middle-income countries around the world. The OPEC Fund was established in 1976 with a distinct purpose: to drive development, strengthen communities and empower people. Our work is people-centered, focusing on financing projects that meet essential needs, such as food, energy, infrastructure, employment (particularly relating to MSMEs), clean water and sanitation, healthcare and education. To date, the OPEC Fund has committed more than US$30 billion to development projects in over 125 countries with an estimated total project cost of more than US$200 billion. The OPEC Fund is rated AA+/Outlook Stable by Fitch and AA+, Outlook Stable by S&P. Our vision is a world where sustainable development is a reality for all.