The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has committed $2.57 billion in new sovereign financing to Bangladesh in 2025, more than double its $1.18 billion support in 2024.
According to an ADB press release, the funds will support priority areas including energy, transport, banking reforms, urban services, climate resilience, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and improving livelihoods and services in Cox’s Bazar.
ADB Country Director Hoe Yun Jeong said the bank is committed to supporting Bangladesh during a challenging transition period amid a difficult global situation. He added that the 2025 commitments reflect a strong partnership focused on economic diversification, better infrastructure and services, and human development, in close cooperation with the government.
Of the $2.57 billion committed through ten projects, about 35 percent will go to transport, 23 percent to finance, and 16 percent to public sector management and governance. Energy will receive 11 percent, water and urban development 9 percent, and human and social development 6 percent.
Major projects include the $688 million Chattogram–Dohazari Railway Project to improve rail links and enable direct trains from Dhaka to Cox’s Bazar, a $500 million banking sector reform programme, and a $400 million climate-resilient development programme.
ADB also provided support to the private sector in areas such as textiles, renewable energy, trade finance, food security, microfinance, and public-private partnerships. Working with other development partners, ADB helped mobilize $720 million in co-financing.
As of December 31, 2025, ADB’s total loan commitments to Bangladesh exceeded $42 billion, with 48 active sovereign projects worth $10.8 billion.
Looking ahead to 2026, ADB said it will focus on economic corridors, logistics, public sector and capital market reforms, private sector growth, and digital transformation.
