Founded in 1975
10 members
USD 220 Bn+ invested in Africa
5,000+ development sovereign loans
130+ countries of operations
Optimizing Arab Aid for Greater Impact
The Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa is a long-time member of the Arab Coordination Group (ACG), a unique strategic alliance that provides a coordinated response to development finance. As one of the largest donor-groups in the world, the Group assists developing countries in reaching their economic and social development objectives through knowledge-sharing, combined expertise, and effective assistance, in line with the mandate of each member institution. Within the Group, BADEA acts as the specialized institution arm of the ACG in Africa.
Vienna, June 2023Since its establishment in 1975, the ACG has played a key role in effectively coordinating Arab Aid and providing impact lending and grants financing to build a more sustainable and inclusive future: more than 5,000 sovereign loans have been provided to over 130 countries on five continents (Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania) in several development areas such as education, healthcare, agriculture and livestock, water & sanitation, transportation, energy, housing, private sector and trade finance, and SMEs, among others.
Providing ambitious innovative responses to urgent global challenges is at the core of its purpose. As a result, the ACG has launched several major initiatives and made financial group pledges in this respect, in line with the UN SDGs.
The Arab Coordination Group pledges US$50 billion for African development
This USD 50 bn group pledge for sustainable development financing by 2030 in Africa with a focus on resilient infrastructure and inclusive societies was declared during the Saudi-Arab-African Economic Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in November 2023.
BADEA’s unique role
BADEA has been designated by ACG members to oversee the ACG Working Group and taskforce in charge of implementing this historic Initiative pledge.
for more information, please read Full Official ACG
The Arab Coordination Group commits to USD 24 billion of Climate Action financing by 2030
About the joint Call for Climate Action for Equitable Development
This group commitment was announced during the UN Climate Conference COP 27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt (November 2022), in order to “support the acceleration of the energy transition, the increased resilience of food, transport, water and urban systems, and the promotion of energy security in countries including the least developed countries and small island developing states.”
The following year, to take a step further towards making the net zero transition a reality, the ACG unveiled a comprehensive 7 pillars plan for sustainable and equitable energy transition, during the UN Climate Conference COP 28 in Dubai, U.A.E.:
- Mobilizing Financial Resources: Increasing the use of green bonds, blended finance and risk mitigation tools.
- Fostering Innovation: Embracing new technologies for maximum impact on energy efficiency and storage
- Promoting Energy Access: Ensuring universal access to sustainable energy globally.
- Strengthening Climate Resilience: Building resilience across key sectors, including food, transport, water and urban systems.
- Collaborating and Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging global cooperation through collaborative initiatives and knowledge sharing.
- Capacity Building: Investing in upskilling workforces in the clean energy sector worldwide.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: Implementing rigorous mechanisms to track progress and impact.
for more information, the full press releases: The Arab Coordination Group commits to USD 24 Billion of climate action financing by 2030The Arab Coordination Group unveils comprehensive plan for sustainable and equitable energy transition at the COP28
The Arab Coordination Group (ACG) Institutions Launch Food Security Action with Initial US$10 Billion Package
In order to tackle the complex global post-COVID food supply crisis, the ACG has decided to foster this strategic food security initiative in June 2022.
for more information, the full press releases: https://www.isdb.org/news/arab-coordination-group-acg-institutions-launch-food-security-action-with-initial-us10-billion-package
US$10 billion ACG joint COVID-19 response for developing countries
In May 2020, ACG institutions have committed to jointly allocate US$10 billion to help developing countries mitigate, contain and recover from the destabilizing effects of the COVID19 pandemic.
for more information, the full press releases: https://opecfund.org/news/us-10-billion-joint-covid-19-response-for-developing-countries
The ACG and GPE (Global Partnership for Education) launch US$ 500 Million SmartEducation Facility
This ACG-GPE smart financing for education is meant to empower millions of boys and girls through quality education. The SmartEd Facility was launched in December 2021, during the RewirEd Summit hosted by Dubai Cares in Dubai, UAE.
for more information, the full press releases: https://www.isdb.org/news/rewired-summit-islamic-development-bank-gpe-and-acg-launch-us-500-million-smarted-facility
The ACG Members
Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD)
The Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA)
Arab Gulf Program for Development (AGFUND)
Arab Monetary Fund (AMF)
Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD)
Islamic Development Bank (IsDB)
Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED)
OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID)
Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD)
Saudi Fund for Development (SFD)
The ACG’s actions in Africa
The ACG Group is highly involved in financing high impact projects throughout Africa. More than USD 200 Bn has been invested so far, since its inception. Each member institution finances projects in line with their respective mandate and countries of operations. Per its establishing agreement, BADEA has an exclusive focus on Sub-Saharan Africa and plays a substantial role in mobilizing further financing from other members to close the development gap in this region.
Nearly 70% of the ACG investments in sub-Saharan Africa, since inception, have been geared towards supporting strategic transportation & communications projects improving the connectivity of cities and remote areas, energy projects lighting up vital areas, agriculture & livestock projects addressing food security and water & sewage projects enabling access to drinking water to communities.
BADEA within the ACG
BADEA acts as the specialized institution arm of the ACG in Africa.
This key bridging role between Sub-Saharan Africa and the Arab world has been exemplified, for instance, during the Saudi-Arab-African Economic Conference held in Riyadh, in November 2023, where the ACG made a joint declaration on an ambitious group pledge of USD 50 bn for African sustainable development.
BADEA has been designated by ACG members to oversee the ACG Working Group and taskforce in charge of implementing this landmark Initiative pledge.
Along with other members, BADEA has co-financed nearly 350 sovereign, private sector and trade transactions in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a special focus on strategic infrastructure improving lives (82% of BADEA’s total “ACG co-financed Portfolio (active and completed)”).
With an initial historical focus on strategic transportation (roads, airports, bridges), BADEA has diversified, since then, its ACG portfolio and is now active across all sectors, to keep impacting lives and strengthening regional integration in sub-Saharan Africa.
