World Bank Mobilises Record $112bn in Private Capital

The World Bank Group mobilised a record $112 billion in private capital for developing economies in fiscal year 2026, marking more than a threefold increase from the $35 billion raised in fiscal 2022.

Combined with the group’s own financing, the mobilisation brought total financing and capital mobilisation in developing economies to well over $200 billion during the fiscal year.

The World Bank Group also issued more than $25 billion in guarantees in FY26, surpassing its target of $20 billion in annual guarantee issuance by 2030 four years ahead of schedule.

The institution said the increase was supported by efforts to make its operations faster and simpler, strengthen coordination between its public and private-sector arms, and expand the tools available to investors.

The World Bank Group Guarantee Platform, launched in 2024, has also made it easier for clients and investors to access guarantee products from across the institution.

Private capital mobilisation in lower-middle-income countries rose from $14 billion in FY2022 to $37 billion in FY2026. In upper-middle-income countries, it increased from $12 billion to $50 billion.

Despite the challenges of investing in low-income countries, private capital mobilisation in those economies remained at around $3 billion.

Africa also recorded significant growth, with private capital mobilisation increasing from approximately $9 billion in FY2022 to $22 billion in FY2026—a rise of nearly 150%.

World Bank Group President Ajay Banga attributed the achievement to faster decision-making, simpler procedures and closer coordination across the institution.

“The result is $112 billion mobilised this year, more than three times where we started,” Banga said. He added that the figure would matter only if the capital created opportunities and jobs in developing economies.

The World Bank estimates that 1.2 billion young people in developing economies will reach working age over the next 10 to 15 years, while only around 420 million jobs are expected to be created during that period.

The private sector generates nine out of every 10 jobs in developing economies, according to the institution.

To help address the projected employment gap, the World Bank has identified five job-intensive sectors with significant investment potential: infrastructure and energy, agribusiness, healthcare, tourism, and value-added manufacturing.

In FY26, 55% of the World Bank Group’s total financing and mobilised capital went to these sectors.

The institution said it would continue working to remove investment barriers, broaden the pool of investors and channel more private capital into developing economies to support business growth, employment and economic opportunity.