World Bank’s Open Letter on IDA21 to Our Shareholders, Clients, Partners, and the Global Development Community
Over the past year, we have navigated an incredibly challenging global landscape—one marked by economic uncertainty, rising debt levels, climate shocks, and an ever-pressing need for human development. Yet, amid these challenges, something remarkable has unfolded: a collective effort, driven by the shared belief that we can do better, that we must do better, for the world’s most vulnerable.
Today, we are proud to announce the results of that effort. After months of negotiation, partnership, and unwavering commitment from our donor community, the 21st replenishment of the International Development Association (IDA) has raised $24 billion in donor contributions.
Thanks to IDA’s unique leveraging model, this $24 billion will generate a total of $100 billion in affordable financing—the largest replenishment in IDA’s history. This is made possible because of donor generosity but also the work we have done to better optimize our balance sheet, take on more risk, and increase our leverage capacity.
This funding will be deployed to support the 78 countries that need it most, providing resources to invest in health, education, infrastructure, and climate resilience; stabilize economies, create jobs, and build the foundation for a better future; and empower nations to navigate an uncertain world and unlock their full potential.
Delivering Results with Greater Speed and Impact
This replenishment is not just about resources—it’s also about how we deliver them. Over the years, IDA’s operational framework has grown increasingly complex, with over 1,100 different requirements and metrics. While well-intentioned, this complexity has often slowed us down and overburdened those we serve.
During this replenishment cycle, we worked closely with our partners to streamline IDA’s operations, cutting the number of required metrics in half to 500. This will make IDA simpler, faster, and more responsive to the needs of our clients. It means fewer bureaucratic hurdles and more time spent delivering results on the ground.
Why IDA Matters
During its 60 years of existence, 35 countries have graduated from IDA, including many who are now generous donors, giving back so that others may prosper.
Throughout, IDA has stood as a critical partner for the world’s poorest countries. It is a lifeline that delivers what few others can:
Affordable financing through zero- and low-interest loans and grants to nations with limited financing options.
Unmatched development knowledge gained from decades of experience in nearly every corner of the globe.
The power to leverage every donor dollar 3.5 to 4 times, transforming modest contributions into life-changing investments.
This model has enabled IDA to mobilize and deploy $270 billion over the last decade alone, with $179 billion directed to Africa. IDA has become the largest provider of concessional climate financing, investing $85 billion globally in the last 10 years, with over half dedicated to climate adaptation—protecting communities from rising seas, building heat-resistant schools, and ensuring farmers have the right seeds for the right conditions.
In the same period, these investments have delivered tangible results:
- 900 million people reached with health services.
- 117 million people connected to reliable electricity.
- 94 million people gaining access to clean water.
- Over 18 million farmers supported with essential technology.
This is why IDA is often called the “best deal in development.” It is not just about funds deployed—it is about lives changed.
The Work Begins
Even as we celebrate these accomplishments and today’s achievements, the challenges ahead will demand even more of our attention. In many of the countries IDA serves, governments are constrained by rising debt and limited fiscal space. For these nations, IDA’s concessional financing is often the only viable source of investment in job-creating sectors.
This is particularly crucial as a vast generation of 1.2 billion young people prepares to enter the workforce. With current projections indicating only 420 million jobs will be created, nearly 800 million young people face the risk of unemployment—a threat to societal stability and economic growth.
The World Bank Group recognizes this challenge and is prepared to meet it head-on, which is why we are working to ensure job creation is not a byproduct of our projects but an explicit aim of them.
Throughout history, jobs have been the surest and most lasting solution to poverty. They bring dignity, empower women, give hope to younger generations, and build stronger communities.
In this context, IDA is not just a financial instrument; it is a catalyst for job creation. It provides countries with the resources to build infrastructure, improve education and health systems, and foster private sector growth—all of which are critical for creating jobs and economic opportunities.
This link between the World Bank Group’s public sector experience and our private sector financing and access to deliver across such a continuum with depth and width globally underpins our jobs agenda. This effort is comprehensive, and a paradigm shift for the institution.
A Collective Achievement
None of this – the financing or the efficiency – would have been possible without the unwavering support of our donor countries, advocacy from civil society, and creativity from clients. To each of you—thank you for your trust, your partnership, and your belief in the mission of IDA.
Today marks a milestone, but it is also a beginning of sorts. Together, we have proven that collective action can achieve extraordinary results. But the work is far from over.
Let us continue to work together—to invest in solutions, to empower nations, and to build a world where every person, no matter where they are born, has the opportunity to thrive.
With gratitude,
Ajay Banga
President
The World Bank Group
