World Bank reports widening gap in private capital mobilization for poor nations

The World Bank Group announced it mobilized a record 112 billion USD in private capital during the 2026 fiscal year, tripling its 2022 figures. However, the data reveals a widening investment gap; while middle-income nations saw significant growth, funding for the world's poorest economies remained stagnant at approximately 3 billion USD. Consequently, low-income countries received less than three percent of the total mobilized capital in 2026.

The Bank notes that structural barriers, such as regulatory risks and high financing costs, discourage private investment in poorer nations. To address this, the World Bank has accelerated its guarantee programs, issuing over 25 billion USD in guarantees in FY2026—surpassing its 2030 target four years early. These instruments aim to mitigate political and commercial risks to attract more institutional investors to developing markets.