World Bank Group Opens Office in Madrid, Expanding Partnership on Jobs and Private Capital Mobilization for Development

MADRID, June 29, 2026 - The World Bank Group today announced the opening of its office in Madrid, deepening its partnership with Spain to scale investment and mobilize private capital for growth and job creation in emerging markets.

For nearly 70 years, the World Bank Group and Spain have tackled complex development challenges together, combining financing, knowledge, and private sector engagement. The World Bank Group's office in Madrid brings together its institutions under one roof, creating a single-entry point for the Spanish government, private sector, academia, and civil society. Spanish companies and investors gain direct access to the World Bank Group's financing, risk mitigation tools, and market expertise.

Spain is one of the World Bank Group's leading private sector development partners in Europe. The International Finance Corporation and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency - the Group's private sector investment and political risk insurance arms - have each built portfolios of around $5 billion with Spanish companies across emerging markets. The Madrid office builds on this momentum and Spain's deep ties with Latin America to drive expanded engagement across other regions, particularly Africa, mobilizing private capital and turning investment into jobs.

"The opening of our Madrid office reflects the strength of our partnership with Spain and our shared ambition to create jobs through private sector-led growth," said Makhtar Diop, IFC Managing Director. "Spain brings deep expertise in sectors that are essential to sustainable development, including water, infrastructure, tourism, and manufacturing. The new office will enable us to work more closely with Spanish companies, investors, and institutions to mobilize private capital, expand investment in emerging markets, and help translate opportunity into jobs and economic growth."

"The new office will open opportunities for our companies and civil society working in development, serving as a bridge between European development finance and Latin America and Africa," said Carlos Cuerpo, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Trade and Business. "It also consolidates Spain as a hub for multilateral institutions at a time when we need to stand up for development, not step back from it."

As a shareholder, Spain plays an important role in shaping the World Bank Group's strategy. It channels targeted support for development priorities through funds and financing instruments focused on sustainable finance, climate adaptation, infrastructure, health, and migration, while working to help countries tackle unsustainable debt.

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