Uganda to get $295m loan from Saudi's Islamic Development Bank
Tuesday April 30 2024
Uganda's Finance Minister Matia Kasaija (L) shakes hands with Saudi Arabia's Islamic Development Bank Dr Muhammad Al Jassar after a signing ceremony in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on April 29,2024. PHOTO | X via Uganda's Finance Ministry (@mofpedU)
Uganda has signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia's Islamic Development Bank (IDB) for a $295 million loan to fund road construction and other projects, the country's Finance minister said on Tuesday.
The move underscores Uganda's efforts to diversify its sources of external funding, as talks with the World Bank to resume lending have dragged on without fruition.
Ugandan Finance Minister Matia Kasaija signed the loan agreement with IDB President Muhammad Al Jassar in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh, Kaisaja said in a post on social media platform X.
Finance Minister @MatiaK5 who is attending the 2024 Islamic Development Bank Group Annual Meetings in Riyadh,Saudi Arabia (27-30 April,2024) has signed a financing agreement with the President of @isdb_group H.E Dr Muhammad Al Jassar worth USD 295 million for upgrading of… pic.twitter.com/egbZ7h3rUk
— Ministry of Finance (@mofpedU) April 29, 2024
The money will finance construction of a bridge crossing the River Nile in northwest Uganda and roads totalling 105 kilometres, according to the ministry.
Read: Uganda seeks funds for roads, climate projects
The World Bank, traditionally Uganda's biggest external lender, suspended new loans to the country after the enactment of a harsh anti-homosexuality law.