$30 Million from World Bank to Support Education and Digital Financial Infrastructure in Yemen
Yemen Monitor / Newsroom:
The World Bank announced its approval of two new grants for Yemen totaling $30 million, aimed at strengthening digital financial infrastructure and improving the sustainability of basic education, especially in rural and deprived areas.
According to a statement issued by the Bank, the first grant, worth $20 million, will be allocated to the Digital Infrastructure and Financial Inclusion Development Project, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in coordination with the Central Bank of Yemen in Aden.
The project focuses on modernizing payment systems, expanding digital financial services to include remote areas, and developing a rapid payment system as part of the digital financial transformation roadmap.
The second grant, totaling $10 million, will be directed to support the “Education and Learning Sustainability” project, implemented through UNICEF. This project aims to rehabilitate schools, build new classrooms, provide health infrastructure including water and sanitation, and offer operational grants to schools located in the most affected districts. The project also gives special priority to expanding girls’ education opportunities in rural areas.
The World Bank noted in its statement that Yemen remains among the most fragile and impoverished countries in the world, after more than a decade of conflict that weakened public institutions and reduced the capacity to deliver essential services.
It explained that over 60% of Yemeni households suffer from food insecurity, with limited access to education and financial services, especially for women and rural populations.
Dina Abu-Ghaida, the World Bank Country Manager for Yemen, stated that these grants “reflect the Bank’s commitment to supporting the urgent needs of Yemenis,” emphasizing that investing in infrastructure and education enhances communities’ resilience and contributes to preserving human capital.
The two grants fall within a broader strategy adopted by the World Bank to address Yemen’s challenges, by strengthening essential services, building more efficient institutions, and supporting social and economic recovery initiatives.
The statement noted that the Bank is working closely with its international partners to expand financial and educational inclusion and provide implementable development solutions on the ground.
