World Bank Approves US$30 Million to Support Financial Inclusion and Education in Yemen
The World Bank's Board of Executive Directors approved US$30 million in new grants to Yemen to help strengthen digital financial infrastructure and sustain access to basic education for children in most disadvantaged areas. The financing supports two new operations that aim to improve access to critical services while bolstering institutional resilience.
The first grant of US$20 million will finance the Yemen Financial Market Infrastructure and Inclusion Project, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The second, a US$10 million grant, will support the Sustaining Education and Learning Project, implemented by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
More than a decade into the conflict, Yemen remains one of the most fragile and poorest countries in the world. The crisis has deeply disrupted the provision of public services, fragmented institutions, and contributed to the erosion of human capital. Today, more than 60 percent of households report inadequate food consumption, and access to quality education and formal financial services remains limited, particularly for women and rural populations. The World Bank's support to Yemen prioritizes the delivery of essential services while building the foundations for medium-term recovery.
'These new operations reflect our continued commitment to supporting the people of Yemen in meeting their most urgent needs,' said Dina Abu-Ghaida, World Bank Group Country Manager for Yemen. 'By investing in core -infrastructure that enable children to stay in school and families to access financial services, we aim to preserve human capital and support more inclusive, resilient service delivery.'
The Yemen Financial Market Infrastructure and Inclusion Project will support the development of digital payments systems, including a Fast Payment System and a Real Time Gross Settlement System under the Central Bank in Aden. The project will promote interoperability among financial institutions, strengthen compliance with anti-money laundering regulations, and expand access points for digital financial services in underserved areas. It will also enable the digitization of cash transfers, government payments, and remittances, which are critical sources of income for vulnerable households.
The Sustaining Education and Learning Project will help keep schools open and functioning in targeted vulnerable districts by financing the rehabilitation of school infrastructure, construction of classrooms and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities, and provision of school grants, managed by communities, to cover essential operational needs. The project will also strengthen education data systems and support local capacity to plan and monitor service delivery. It builds on lessons learned from previous operations and places a strong focus on improving girls' access to education in rural areas.
These new operations are part of the World Bank's broader strategy to help sustain essential services, protect human capital, and strengthen institutions amid ongoing fragility. By investing in education and digital financial systems, the Bank is working with partners to expand opportunities, promote inclusion, and help communities navigate the path toward recovery and stability.
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