OPEC Fund unveils US$1.5 billion action plan to accelerate digital transformation in developing countries

June 23, 2026: The OPEC Fund for International Development (OPEC Fund) today unveiled its Digital Transformation Action Plan, committing US$1.5 billion through 2030 to help developing countries build the digital foundations, systems and capabilities needed to compete, grow and deliver better services. Digital technologies are increasingly central to economic productivity, institutional resilience and progress across the Sustainable Development Goals.

Announced at the 2026 OPEC Fund Development Forum in Vienna, the Action Plan marks a major expansion of the OPEC Fund's support for digital development and establishes digital transformation as its third cross-cutting priority alongside climate action and food security.

OPEC Fund President Abdulhamid Alkhalifa said: "Digital transformation is reshaping economies, public services and opportunity. Countries that lack the infrastructure and capacity to participate are at risk of being excluded from the next phase of global growth. With this Action Plan, the OPEC Fund is supporting partner countries in accelerating progress toward a more inclusive digital future."

The plan is built around two pillars: Digital Foundations will support the connectivity and infrastructure required to move, process and store data; whereas Digital Use will promote the integration of digital solutions across finance, health, education, agriculture, public administration and other sectors central to development.

The OPEC Fund will apply a phased approach, combining sovereign and private sector financing, technical assistance, partnerships and knowledge exchange. It will also seek to mobilize additional capital and expertise from governments, development institutions, technology partners and the private sector.

The Action Plan responds to a widening global digital divide. Around 2.6 billion people remain offline and closing this gap will require significant investment. At the same time, digital technologies are increasingly central to economic productivity, institutional resilience and progress across the Sustainable Development Goals.

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$32 billion to development projects in over 125 countries. These projects represent a total value exceeding US$240 billion, equivalent to approximately US$7.50 mobilized for every US$1 committed by the OPEC Fund. The OPEC Fund is rated AA+/Outlook Stable by Fitch and AA+, Outlook Stable by S&P. Our vision is a world where sustainable development is a reality for all.