The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) approved a package of projects worth roughly $1.365 billion for 12 member countries, the bank said. Chaired by IsDB President Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser, the 363rd Board of Executive Directors meeting endorsed 14 operations backing renewable energy, cross-border power links, transport corridors, water security, agriculture, education, and health services.
Major transport financings include €306.89 million for Benin’s Godomey–Ouidah–Hillacondji Road project, strengthening a strategic section of the Abidjan–Lagos corridor. Côte d’Ivoire will get €200 million to upgrade the Tafiré–Ferkessédougou section of the A3 highway, improving a key trade route. Bahrain will receive $180.72 million for the King Faisal Highway Upgrade Project in Manama, while Lebanon will get $13.50 million to build the Bqerqasha Diversion and upgrade the Bqerqasha–Bcharre road.
In energy, Uzbekistan will benefit from $110 million for the Samarkand I and II utility-scale solar photovoltaic and battery storage projects. Mauritania will receive €55.19 million for the Mauritania–Mali Electricity Interconnection and related solar power plants, linking the two power systems and supplying cleaner electricity to communities. Several approvals tackle water stress and food security. Morocco got €188.82 million for the Mitigating Water Stress Project to finance dams and transfer surplus water from northern to southern basins, plus €18.23 million for inland aquaculture development. Sierra Leone will receive €25.93 million for the Freetown WASH project, Cameroon €36.66 million for sustainable irrigation and agricultural value chain development, and Jordan $11.25 million for the Rural Employment and Agricultural Growth Program.
The board also approved health and education investments. Mauritania got €61.41 million for a 440-bed Referral Hospital for Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health in Nouakchott. Tajikistan will receive $13.95 million for tourism business education development, and Pakistan $10 million to support out-of-school children in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
