IsDB Targets Trade Finance and Infrastructure to Expand African Exports

Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group Chairman Muhammad Al Jasser called for greater investment in trade infrastructure and export industries at the COMCEC ministerial meeting in Istanbul on November 2.

The group approved nearly $18 billion in financing during the first nine months of 2026, including approximately $11 billion through its trade-finance arm, the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC). Nearly $9 billion of ITFC approvals supported trade among Organisation of Islamic Cooperation member countries.

Al Jasser urged member countries to combine trade finance and guarantees with investment in transport, energy, digital infrastructure and productive industries. His proposals focused on improving export competitiveness and helping businesses reach international markets.

African countries are already participating through existing financing agreements. ITFC has established trade-finance frameworks with Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal, supporting commercial transactions and access to financing. Further investment in production facilities and trade infrastructure remains part of the group’s proposed approach to expanding exports.

ITFC Expands Trade Financing for African Businesses

Côte d’Ivoire signed a $750 million trade-finance framework with the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) in June 2026, covering agricultural exports, agro-industrial development, energy and private-sector financing through 2029.

Bank of Africa Côte d’Ivoire, Bridge Bank and Coris Bank are among the financial institutions working with ITFC to support commercial transactions. The agreement establishes a financing framework rather than confirming that the full amount has been disbursed.

Senegal plans to mobilise €630 million in 2026 under a five-year €2 billion agreement signed in 2025. The programme covers trade in groundnuts, petroleum products and other essential commodities. ITFC has not disclosed how much of the planned financing will support exports rather than imports.

ITFC also agreed in December 2025 to increase its trade-finance facility with the Trade and Development Bank by $100 million, targeting a total of $200 million. The financing covers commodity trade across participating African markets, although country-level allocations have not been specified.

Export credit insurance provides another source of support. In May 2025, the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC) insured a €250 million Standard Chartered financing package for the Trade and Development Bank.

The coverage supports eligible trade, energy and infrastructure transactions across six African countries, including Mozambique, Uganda and Senegal, by protecting lenders against specified payment risks.

IsDB Invests in African Roads and Trade Infrastructure

Benin signed a €306.89 million financing agreement with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) in October 2026 to upgrade the Godomey–Ouidah–Hillacondji road.

The €576.06 million project covers part of the Abidjan–Lagos trade corridor, with planned improvements to road capacity and freight movement. Construction progress has not yet been disclosed.

Cameroon secured €212.35 million from IsDB to rehabilitate the Douala–Bafoussam corridor, covering 218 kilometres of national roads and 108 kilometres of feeder roads.

The project will connect agricultural production areas and commercial centres to the Port of Douala, improving transport links for domestic and international trade.

In Côte d’Ivoire, IsDB signed a $234.8 million agreement in June 2026 to expand the 58-kilometre Tafiré–Ferkessédougou highway into a dual carriageway. The route connects northern agricultural and commercial areas with markets elsewhere in the country and across the region.

Electricity infrastructure is receiving financing. IsDB approved €86.55 million in June for the second phase of Côte d’Ivoire’s electricity infrastructure reinforcement programme, covering distribution-network upgrades and expanded access. The approval does not identify specific export industries or quantify the electricity capacity allocated to industrial production.

African Exporters Face Certification and Digital Trade Requirements

The World Bank’s August 2026 Integrating Africa: From Threads to Hubs report identified differing product standards, repeated inspections and fragmented customs procedures among the barriers affecting African trade.

It recommended stronger standards institutions, electronic single-window systems and coordinated border inspections to improve market access.

Malawi and Mozambique are receiving World Bank support through the Southern Africa Trade and Connectivity Project to modernise customs procedures and improve information sharing between border agencies. Planned investments include upgrades to Malawi’s customs system and expansion of its national electronic single-window platform.

Agricultural and food exporters face additional requirements for product testing, certification and food safety documentation. The World Bank has recommended greater mutual recognition of standards and stronger national certification institutions to reduce repeated inspections of goods moving between African markets.

Transport delays also affect mineral exports. World Bank monitoring published in July 2026 identified congestion at the Lebombo–Ressano Garcia border between South Africa and Mozambique, which handles approximately 1,200 trucks daily in each direction.

Restricted nighttime operations and customs-processing delays contributed to congestion. These findings identify investment requirements in border management and digital trade systems, although the projects are separate from IsDB’s announced financing commitments.

IsDB’s African Export Projects Move Toward Financing and Delivery

Guinea’s 2024–2027 partnership strategy with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) provides a $656 million financing envelope, with $273.8 million approved so far.

At an October 16 meeting, officials reviewed transport and agricultural investments alongside implementation of existing commitments. The bank also reported 27 active projects worth $943 million in the country.

Further approvals are expected under IsDB’s cooperation framework with the African Development Bank. Their October 29 review confirmed $2.65 billion in approvals against a $4 billion financing target covering 27 African member countries through 2029. Country allocations and approval dates for the remaining financing have not been announced.

The IsDB Concessional Fund, launched in February 2026, provides another financing route for 27 least-developed member countries. The bank has committed 15% of its annual approvals to concessional financing, including 10% through the fund. Eligible projects include infrastructure and food security investments.

Guinea’s outstanding partnership commitments and the remaining IsDB–AfDB financing envelope provide opportunities for additional project approvals.

The next financing agreements and implementation updates will establish which transport, agricultural and industrial investments proceed and when the infrastructure needed to support African exports becomes operational.