Private Sector

The OPEC Fund’s private sector engagement is anchored in the principle that sustainable development is most effectively achieved through markets. Operations support commercially-run enterprises and financial institutions that expand economic opportunity, strengthen resilience and deliver essential goods and services in partner countries.

Since launching private sector operations in 1999, the OPEC Fund’s portfolio has diversified to include financial institutions, infrastructure, agribusiness, renewable energy, industry and services, complementing public sector investments by enabling businesses to grow, innovate and drive sustainable development.

OPEC Fund financing has supported projects and companies in over 75 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe. Financing has benefited more than half a million micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) as well as trade activities through financial institution intermediaries. Via risk-sharing programs, over 7,000 beneficiaries through more than 300 issuing banks in 60 countries have also been supported.

Projects have enabled the development of more than 3.6 GW of electricity capacity across multiple technologies and have supported airports with aggregate passenger numbers of 28 million per annum, as well as seaports and bulk terminals with vast handling capacity – all of which underpins significant amounts of international trade and supports economic growth.

Financing & Mobilization

The OPEC Fund combines direct financing with resource mobilization, amplifying development outcomes in renewable energy, food security, MSMEs and social inclusion.

Financing instruments include:

• Senior and subordinated loans
• Equity and quasi-equity investments
• Lines of credit for financial institutions to expand MSME, women-owned business, climate, agribusiness and underserved segment financing
• Project and corporate financing for greenfield, expansion or rehabilitation projects
• Risk-sharing, co-financing, and syndications arrangements with development partners and private investors
• Islamic finance products

How We Create Impact

The OPEC Fund works in close cooperation with development finance institutions, commercial banks and private investors to help partner countries:

• Expand access to finance for MSMEs and underserved segments
• Strengthen local financial systems and capital markets
• Catalyze investment in renewable energy and climate solutions
• Enhance agricultural value chains and food security
• Improve infrastructure, logistics and digital connectivity
• Support innovation, productivity and competitiveness
• Create jobs and empower women and youth

Trade Finance

The OPEC Fund provides non-sovereign trade finance to support essential imports, facilitate exports and strengthen supply chains.

It helps address inventory and working-capital needs and improves the cross-border trade prospects of companies in partner countries. The OPEC Fund’s trade financing window provides funded and unfunded solutions such as:

• Direct financing for imports and/or exports
• Participation in risk-sharing programs to support financial institutions and the growth of their international trade activities
• Trade financing across the value chain, including structured commodity finance, working capital finance and pre-export finance to private enterprises

APPLY FOR FUNDING