Saudi’s Development Fund Marks 50 Years, Claims More Than $40 Billion in Global Aid

A fifty-year milestone announced at MOMENTUM 2025

At a packed session of MOMENTUM 2025, His Excellency announced that the Saudi Development Fund (NDF) has reached a major milestone: more than USD 40 billion in international assistance since its founding. The statement came as the minister opened day three of the conference, giving the declaration a high-profile stage and public attention.

The claim frames the NDF as a steady player in development finance — one that has been involved in a mix of loans, grants and technical aid across many countries. The announcement focused on the size and scope of the Fund’s work and set the tone for a set of new initiatives the Fund is expected to launch in the coming year.

How NDF reached this figure and where the money went

The Fund presented the USD 40 billion total as the sum of activity carried out over roughly five decades. That total includes concessional loans, grants, technical assistance and co-financing arranged with partner institutions. Officials described the number as cumulative, covering projects from early years to the present day.

Geographically, the Fund said its work has spanned Africa, Asia, the Middle East and smaller programs in other regions. Program areas highlighted include infrastructure, water and sanitation, energy projects, health and capacity building for public institutions. Officials emphasised that a large share of the Fund’s resources went to long-term infrastructure and state-led programs rather than short-term humanitarian relief.

The NDF also said its accounting reflects projects where it was the lead financier and where it acted as a co-financer alongside other bilateral and multilateral partners. That mixed accounting is common in development finance: it raises the headline number but includes many projects supported by multiple donors.

The conference moment and key remarks

The minister used the platform at MOMENTUM 2025 to underline the Fund’s longevity and growing international footprint. He framed the USD 40 billion figure as proof of a long-term commitment to partner countries and development goals.

Speakers at the event pointed to recent projects as examples of modern priorities — such as renewable energy investments and digital infrastructure — while stressing the Fund’s continuing role in traditional sectors like roads and water systems. The minister also signalled a desire to shift toward more catalytic projects that attract private investment alongside public financing.

What this signals for Saudi development policy and diplomacy

The announcement is both a record and a message. For Saudi Arabia, promoting a five-decade track record helps position the kingdom as a serious development partner at a time when it seeks a larger global role beyond energy markets. Presenting a large cumulative figure builds credibility for deeper ties with recipient countries and multilateral institutions.

On the policy side, the emphasis on co-financing and private-sector leverage suggests a pivot toward projects that try to crowd in outside capital. That approach aligns with broader international trends in development finance, where public funds aim to reduce risk for private investors so they will provide more of the money needed for big projects.

What comes next: announcements, partnerships and the immediate fallout

Following the announcement, conference organisers and Fund officials flagged a slate of follow-up moves. These include new country partnerships, pilot projects focused on green energy and plans to increase technical assistance to finance ministries in lower-income countries. The Fund also said it will publish more detailed breakdowns of its portfolio to make its activity easier to track.

Reactions from partner organisations were cautious and practical. Several development practitioners at the conference welcomed the focus on mobilising private capital but asked for clearer data on how much of the USD 40 billion was direct funding versus co-financed projects. Observers said the real test will be how transparent the Fund becomes about project outcomes and risk-sharing arrangements.

For readers following Saudi Arabia’s outward-facing policies, the NDF announcement is a reminder that the kingdom is keeping development finance on its diplomatic agenda — and is trying to make its long record look like a launching pad for a more active, modern role in global development.

Sources

• prnewswire.com