The World Bank has approved US$30 million in grants to support Yemen's digital financial infrastructure and education access for children in disadvantaged areas. This funding will back two new projects aimed at improving essential services and strengthening institutional resilience.
A US$20 million grant will finance the Yemen Financial Market Infrastructure and Inclusion Project, managed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Additionally, a US$10 million grant will fund the Sustaining Education and Learning Project, implemented by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Yemen continues to face severe challenges due to ongoing conflict, with public service provision disrupted and institutions fragmented. Over 60 percent of households experience inadequate food consumption, while access to quality education and formal financial services is limited, especially for women and rural communities. The World Bank's initiatives aim to address these issues by delivering essential services and laying the groundwork for medium-term recovery.
“These new operations reflect our continued commitment to supporting the people of Yemen in meeting their most urgent needs,” stated Dina Abu-Ghaida, World Bank Group Country Manager for Yemen. “By investing in core infrastructure that enables 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 aims to develop digital payment systems under the Central Bank in Aden. It seeks to enhance interoperability among financial institutions, strengthen anti-money laundering compliance, expand digital financial service access points in underserved areas, and digitize cash transfers.
The Sustaining Education and Learning Project focuses on keeping schools operational in vulnerable districts through infrastructure rehabilitation, classroom construction, WASH facilities development, community-managed school grants for operational needs coverage, education data system strengthening, local capacity building for planning and monitoring service delivery. It emphasizes improving girls' education access in rural regions.
These projects are part of a broader strategy by the World Bank to sustain essential services amidst ongoing fragility while promoting inclusion and helping communities progress toward recovery.