The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Board of Executive Directors approved over US$1.4 billion to significantly advance Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 8 Member Countries during its 359th meeting convened on Sunday, 16 March 2025, under the chairmanship of H.E. Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser.
The approved development projects will cover food security, health, education, transport, sanitation, and urban development sectors, contributing towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. The approvals include EUR500 million in financing for the “Disaster-Resilient Health Infrastructure Development Project” in Türkiye. This initiative aims to address the additional need for accessible and resilient healthcare services and to complement the Bank’s previous interventions in the sector.
Türkiye’s urban development sector will also benefit from a EUR200.20 million financing facility for “Municipal Infrastructure for Recovery and Resilience Project” which will improve municipal services in water, and wastewater management as well as transport services that would potentially benefit approximately 3 million people.
The IsDB will also provide US$241.30 million financing to build five climate-resilient bridges in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh Division. This project aims to improve the lives of the population by reducing vehicle operating costs, travel time, and greenhouse gas emissions.
Nigeria will receive a total of US$102.38 million in IsDB financing. This includes US$52.38 million to enhance food security in Zamfara State and US$50 million to improve healthcare infrastructure and promote excellence in medical education in Sokoto State.
The IsDB Board financing approvals will also provide US$92.98 million to Uzbekistan’s health sector, thus contributing to enhancing health care services in Kashkadarya region. In addition, US$ 10 million additional financing was approved by Management to the Support to Development of Oncology Services Project in Uzbekistan (Phase-II).
A EUR141.44 million IsDB financing facility for Togo in West Africa, will enhance regional connectivity by supporting the “Rehabilitation of the WAEMU CU18-Ghana-Benin Border Road Project.” The road will significantly improve travel between Ghana, Togo, and Benin, spurring economic efficiency, reducing transport costs, and supporting food security activities.
The IsDB financing approvals also aim to improve basic education in Cameroon. A EUR36.80 million joint facility from IsDB and ISFD under the SMART-Ed Initiative will help enhance the capacity and efficiency of the country’s educational system ensuring inclusive quality basic education for around 154,000 children.
Furthermore, EUR 35.07 million was approved for Burkina Faso’s Ouagadougou Suburban Sanitation Project to improve rainwater drainage and address flooding in the capital. It will also help upgrade public sanitation and healthcare while creating green jobs especially for women and youth.
Poverty reduction and enhancing food and nutrition security of rural households in Sierra Leone was also the main focus of a US$30.48 million approval from IsDB. The “Livestock and Livelihoods Development Project” is expected to create employment opportunities for rural women and youth while promoting livestock production, productivity, and market access.
These projects are envisaged to foster sustainable and inclusive development, positively impacting the quality of life in communities across our member countries.
TunisianMonitorOnline (Douha Saafi)
