Kuwait Fund for Development: Six decades of humanitarian and developmental impact across the globe

Since 1961, Kuwait’s pioneering development institution has advanced sustainable growth, humanitarian assistance, and global partnerships across more than 100 countries

On December 31, the Kuwait Fund for Development marks the anniversary of its establishment, opening a new chapter of success and ambition as one of the most prominent pioneers of development at both regional and global levels. Founded in 1961, the Fund became the first and oldest development institution to operate in Arab countries and other developing nations.

Today, after more than six decades of continuous work, the Kuwait Fund for Development remains steadfast in its mission, having never ceased its efforts to support development causes in developing countries. As it celebrates its 64th anniversary, the Fund reflects a national vision under the theme “Partners in Development,” embodied through its projects across the globe, all aimed at building a brighter and more sustainable future.

An External Development Arm

The establishment of the Kuwait Fund for Development embodied a wise and visionary decision by the leadership of the State of Kuwait at the time. Kuwait was the only developing country to choose to share the challenges of development with other developing nations, cooperating with them through the provision of concessional loans, grants, financial assistance, and technical support tailored to their development priorities.

Since its inception, the Kuwait Fund for Development has served as Kuwait’s external development arm, sparing no effort in supporting development causes and extending assistance to developing countries worldwide.

Vision and Early Beginnings

In the early 1960s, the late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah (may he rest in peace), then Head of the Financial Department, proposed the idea of establishing a development entity that would support Kuwait’s foreign policy and assist Arab and other developing countries in achieving development across various sectors. The idea received strong support from the late Amir Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah (may God bless his soul), as it aligned with Kuwait’s vision to build a modern state.

Consequently, an Amiri Decree was issued on December 31, 1961, establishing the Kuwait Fund for Development with an initial capital of KD 50 million.

Global Reach and Development Impact

The Fund’s activities have extended to all corners of the world, contributing to the financing of projects in 106 countries, including 16 Arab countries, 41 African countries, 19 in East and South Asia and the Pacific, 17 in Central Asia and Europe, and 12 in Latin America and the Caribbean.

This support has been delivered through 1,037 concessional loans provided to the governments of these countries, with a total value of approximately KD 7 billion. In addition, the Fund has provided grants and technical assistance to support a wide range of development services. A total of 420 grants and technical assistance operations have been extended, amounting to approximately KD 401 million.

Loan Agreements

Over the past year, the Kuwait Fund for Development signed several loan agreements supporting development across different regions of the world. Among these were two loan agreements with the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The first loan, valued at KD 31.25 million (approximately USD 100 million), contributed to financing the Electricity Transmission Networks Development Project. The second loan, valued at KD 10 million (approximately USD 32.4 million), supported Phase II of the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Highway Development Project.

On the sidelines of the World Bank Group meetings held in Washington, D.C., the Fund also signed a KD 4 million loan agreement with Saint Lucia to help finance the Sir Julian R. Hunte Highway Project, as well as another KD 4 million loan agreement (approximately USD 12.8 million) with the Republic of Belize to support the George Price Highway Project.

Supporting and Assisting Refugees

The Kuwait Fund for Development’s contributions to humanitarian action stand out at both regional and international levels. Since its establishment, the Fund has represented a unique model in supporting and assisting refugees in countries affected by disasters, conflicts, and wars, in line with the State of Kuwait’s moderate and balanced policy.

These efforts have strengthened Kuwait’s relations with Arab and international partners. The Fund has played a significant role in the reconstruction of Lebanon and Iraq following periods of crisis, and its assistance to the Palestinian people has remained continuous.

International Participation

Over the past year, the Kuwait Fund for Development recorded notable participation in major international forums. These included the 2025 Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund in Washington, D.C., with a delegation headed by Acting Director General Walid Shamlan Al-Bahar. The Fund also took part in the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), held in Tokyo, Japan.

Additional international engagements included participation in the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, held in Awaza, Turkmenistan, and the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, organized by the United Nations in Seville, Spain.

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