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اتحاد المقاولون العرب
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International Financial Institutions

Overview of International Financial Institutions Participating in the Workshop on Business Opportunities and Policy Financing in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region

Participants:

  • Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)

  • Multilateral Cooperation Center for Development Finance (MCDF)

  • Islamic Development Bank (IsDB)

  • African Development Bank (AfDB)

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is an international financial institution established in 2014 by China with an initial capital of USD 50 billion. The bank has over 35 member countries, excluding the United States, which has expressed concerns about competition with the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). AIIB is headquartered in Beijing. Russia joined as a founding member on April 14, 2015.

AIIB is a multilateral development bank whose mission is to finance infrastructure for tomorrow — infrastructure with sustainability at its core. The bank began operations in Beijing in January 2016 and has since grown to 105 approved members globally. With a capitalization of USD 100 billion and a Triple-A credit rating from major international rating agencies, AIIB works with partners to meet client needs by unlocking new capital and investing in green, technology-enabled infrastructure that enhances regional connectivity.

  • Headquarters: Beijing

  • Founded: 2014

  • Type: International Bank

  • Focus: Credit/Infrastructure

  • Membership: 35 countries

  • Official Language: English

  • President: Jin Liqun

  • Capital: USD 50 billion

  • Website: www.aiib.org

Multilateral Cooperation Center for Development Finance (MCDF)

The MCDF is a multilateral financial mechanism aimed at promoting high-quality infrastructure and connectivity investments in developing countries through partnerships. Established in 2020, MCDF supports developing countries, international financial institutions, and new partners in addressing quality and sustainability challenges affecting cross-border infrastructure and connectivity.

Aligned with G20 Quality Infrastructure Investment principles, the MCDF facilitates close cooperation between multilateral development banks and other partners.

The MCDF portfolio aims to close connectivity gaps based on planned and ongoing global, regional, and sectoral initiatives. As a multilateral financial facility, MCDF complements rather than competes with other mechanisms sharing its vision of supporting G20 infrastructure principles, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the Paris Climate Agreement.

Goals

MCDF enhances high-quality connectivity investments by:

  • Applying internationally accepted standards more widely via capacity building, information sharing, co-financing, and technical assistance.

  • Increasing enforcement of these standards at the national level.

  • Mobilizing and increasing connectivity project financing.

As the global community moves toward sustainable recovery post-pandemic, MCDF is uniquely positioned as a one-stop shop for high-quality infrastructure, combining information exchange, capacity building, and project preparation services.

Core Principles:

  • Connectivity: Linking communities and economies through infrastructure (energy, transport, ICT, and water) across borders.

  • Quality: Promoting standards on debt sustainability, environmental and social safeguards, fossil fuel investments, clean energy, anti-corruption, procurement, and transparency.

  • Partnerships: Building new partnerships between developing country governments, IFIs, and emerging market financiers.

Governance Structure:

  1. MCDF Collaboration Platform — enhances coordination among IFIs and development partners.

  2. MCDF Finance Facility — provides grants for information sharing, capacity building, and project preparation.

  3. MCDF Manager — oversees administrative and financial services; AIIB serves as the manager and host of the secretariat since June 30, 2020.

  4. MCDF Secretariat — supports daily operations.

Supervisory Committees:

  • Management Committee: Oversees policy and operations of the finance facility.

  • Coordination Committee: Oversees collaboration platform activities and advises the management committee.

Address:
Tower A, Asia Financial Center, No. 1 East Tianshan Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101
Phone: +86-10-8358-0000
Email: @themcdf.org

Islamic Development Bank (IsDB)

The IsDB is an international financial institution established to support the economic and social progress of member countries. It was created following the resolution of the Conference of Finance Ministers of Islamic Countries in Jeddah in December 1973, with its inaugural meeting held in Riyadh in July 1975. The bank officially opened on October 20, 1975.

Objectives:

To support the economic development and social progress of member countries and Muslim communities in non-member countries according to Islamic Sharia principles.

Functions:

  • Provides various development assistance including trade finance and poverty alleviation through human development and economic cooperation.

  • Promotes Islamic finance in development.

  • Manages special-purpose funds such as aid for Muslim communities in non-member countries.

  • Facilitates external trade among member countries, especially in productive goods.

  • Offers technical assistance and training in economic, financial, and banking sectors under Sharia compliance.

Membership:

Open to members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) who meet financial commitments. Currently, 56 countries are members.

Capital:

Initially authorized at 2 billion Islamic Dinars (equal to one SDR unit of the IMF). Over time, it increased to 30 billion Islamic Dinars, with a subscribed capital of 15 billion and paid-up capital of 2.7 billion Islamic Dinars by 2006. In 2018, Saudi Arabia pledged $150 million to support Islamic endowments in Jerusalem under IsDB management.

Headquarters and Regional Offices:

  • Main HQ: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

  • Regional Offices: Rabat (Morocco), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Almaty (Kazakhstan)

  • Field offices: Bangladesh, Guinea, Indonesia, Libya, Mauritania, Pakistan, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan

Key Sectors:

  • Science & Innovation: Launched the Engage platform and a $500 million fund to connect innovators with markets.

  • Infrastructure: Invests in urban, agricultural, energy, and transport development.

  • Education: Supports over 13,000 students; invested ~$133.7 million.

  • Health: Focuses on healthcare access and disease prevention.

  • Humanitarian Relief: Aims to improve life quality in the poorest and most climate-vulnerable member states.

  • Women & Girls: Invests in education, health, and empowerment initiatives.

Presidents:

  • Ahmad Mohamed Ali (1975–2016)

  • Bandar Hajjar (2016–2021)

  • Muhammad Al-Jasser (2021–Present)

Member Countries:

Includes most OIC nations — from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Indonesia to Nigeria, Turkey, and Morocco.

African Development Bank (AfDB)

The AfDB is a multilateral development finance institution established in 1964 to foster economic and social development in African countries. It comprises three entities: the African Development Bank, the African Development Fund, and the Nigeria Trust Fund.

Its goal is to reduce poverty and improve living standards in Africa by encouraging public and private investment in development projects. The bank provides funding to African governments and private enterprises in its regional member countries (RMCs).

Initially headquartered in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, the bank temporarily moved to Tunis due to civil conflict but has since returned to Abidjan. In 2019, its capital was raised from $93 billion to $208 billion.

AfDB also launched Africa50, headquartered in Casablanca, to mobilize large-scale private capital for infrastructure development.

Beneficiary Countries:

  • North Africa: Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, Mauritius

  • Sub-Saharan Africa: Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia, etc.

Non-African Member Countries:

Includes: Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the UK, and the US.

  • Headquarters: Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

  • President: Akinwumi Adesina