Priming the pump
Targeted support from a multilateral institution can result in substantial commercial and developmental rewards, says Olivier Mussat of the World Bank Group’s IFC
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) makes private sector projects happen in the world’s most challenging countries. While its parent, the World Bank, provides funding to government ministries to build institutional capacity and infrastructure, the IFC supports the private sector by leveraging its capital to make projects commercially viable. The IFC manages $58bn, including $14.6bn dedicated to infrastructure. Energy is the most important component of infrastructure, with $1.2bn focused on upstream and midstream projects but the lion’s share of $6.9bn on the power sector, as it more effectively fulfils its development goals. While these figures are not huge in an oil and gas context,
Also in this section
12 December 2025
The latest edition of our annual Outlook publication, titled 'The shape of energy to come: Creating unique pathways and managing shifting alliances', is available now
12 December 2025
The federal government is working with Alberta to improve the country’s access to Asian markets and reduce dependence on the US, but there are challenges to their plans
11 December 2025
The removal of the ban on oil and gas exploration and an overhaul of the system sends all the right messages for energy security, affordability and sustainability
10 December 2025
The economic and environmental cost of the seven-year exploration ban will be felt long after its removal
