OPEC Fund contributes US$25 million to fertilizer import facility to bolster food security in Bangladesh

September 10, 2025: The OPEC Fund for International Development (the OPEC Fund) is contributing US$25 million to a US$100 million syndicated Murabaha financing facility that will strengthen food security and agricultural resilience in Bangladesh.

The facility, arranged by the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), also includes participation from the Saudi EXIM Bank, and will enable the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) to import critical fertilizers. These imports are expected to directly support the country's rice farmers and broader agricultural sector.

OPEC Fund President Abdulhamid Alkhalifa said:

"The OPEC Fund is committed to supporting Bangladesh's development agenda, where agriculture plays a central role, employing nearly half of the workforce. Bangladesh has made remarkable progress in achieving food security for its growing population, yet the sector remains particularly vulnerable to climate change. We thank ITFC and Saudi EXIM as partners in this joint financing, which will help tackle these challenges by promoting higher productivity and greater diversification. The loan aligns closely with the OPEC Fund's strategic priorities-particularly food security-and exemplifies our strong commitment to partnering with our member countries, such as Saudi Arabia, to advance South-South cooperation and sustainable development across the globe."

This transaction marks the first joint Murabaha financing facility between the OPEC Fund, ITFC and Saudi EXIM focused specifically on fertilizer imports. The funds will enable BADC to purchase fertilizer from Ma'aden, Saudi Arabia's leading fertilizer producer.

The financing is part of a broader US$2.75 billion cooperation framework between ITFC and the Government of Bangladesh to meet the country's energy and food security needs for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

Agriculture accounts for approximately 11 percent of Bangladesh's GDP and employs over one-third of the workforce. Ensuring uninterrupted access to vital agricultural inputs such as fertilizers is vital to sustaining productivity, improving livelihoods and building resilience against climate-related disruptions. This initiative directly supports Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Zero Hunger (SDG 2) and Climate Action (SDG 13). An estimated 8 million people directly or indirectly involved in agricultural production are expected to benefit.

The OPEC Fund remains committed to advancing food security, supporting inclusive growth and deepening South-South cooperation to foster shared development outcomes.

About the OPEC Fund

The OPEC Fund for International Development (the OPEC Fund) is the only globally mandated development institution that provides financing from member countries to non-member countries exclusively. The organization works in cooperation with developing country partners and the international development community to stimulate economic growth and social progress in low- and middle-income countries around the world. The OPEC Fund was established in 1976 with a distinct purpose: to drive development, strengthen communities and empower people. Our work is people-centered, focusing on financing projects that meet essential needs, such as food, energy, infrastructure, employment (particularly relating to MSMEs), clean water and sanitation, healthcare and education. To date, the OPEC Fund has committed more than US$29 billion to development projects in over 125 countries with an estimated total project cost of more than US$200 billion. The OPEC Fund is rated AA+/Outlook Stable by Fitch and S&P Global Ratings. Our vision is a world where sustainable development is a reality for all.