An official website of the Government of Ireland. About ireland.ie

Flags of several countries flying on tall flagpoles, as seen from the ground.
Credit: World Bank/Franz Mahr
Credit: World Bank/Franz Mahr

International financial institutions

Our partners include the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Asian Development Bank and African Development Bank.

These international financial institutions provide significant financial and technical support to developing countries. They are major contributors to efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Ireland to influence policies that benefit the most vulnerable people across the globe.

Credit: World Bank/Grant Ellis
Exterior view of a large office building at dusk.
World Bank Group Headquarters, Washington DC

Ireland and the World Bank Group

The World Bank Group is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries. Its activities focus on two goals: ending extreme poverty and promoting shared prosperity.

The Department of Finance leads Ireland's relations with the World Bank. The Minister for Finance is Ireland’s Governor for the World Bank.

Ireland has a focus on countries in sub-Saharan Africa supported by the World Bank. We promote polices that are focused on the needs of poor people in these countries.

Creating opportunities for growth in fragile and conflict-affected states

Ireland works to improve the business environment for investment. We do this by working with the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC). We support the IFC’s Africa Fragility Initiative.

This innovative programme addresses obstacles faced by fragile and conflict-affected countries trying to secure inward investment. The programme aims to strengthen and simplify regulatory frameworks. It helps to build supply chains involving local communities in 32 African countries.

Promoting global collective action on food security, education and health

Through World Bank-managed trust funds, we support specific global initiatives. These include the Food Systems 2030 Trust Fund and the Global Education Fund.

Promoting gender equality

Ireland supports programmes that aim to advance women’s economic empowerment and inclusion. We fund the Umbrella Facility for Gender Equality.

Credit: IMF Photo/Ariana Lindquist
Three men have a conversation at the bottom of the photo. The IMF logo of overlapping globes takes up most of the frame on the wall behind them.
Delegates speaking before the Conversations with Emerging Markets within G20 meeting at the International Monetary Fund.

Ireland and the International Monetary Fund (IMF)

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) works to achieve sustainable growth for member countries. It supports economic policies that promote financial stability and monetary cooperation. These are essential to increase productivity, job creation, and economic wellbeing.

Ireland has both contributed to and used IMF resources, as well as participating in IMF decision-making. The Department of Finance leads our relations with the IMF.

Ireland and the Asian Development Bank

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is a regional development bank. It helps developing member countries reduce poverty and improve the quality of life. ADB provides loans, technical help, grants, advice, and knowledge. Focusing on inclusive and sustainable growth and regional integration.

Ireland joined the Asian Development Bank in 2006.

The Department of Finance is the leads on Ireland’s relations with the ADB. Irish Aid provides policy input. This is especially in relation to Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Vietnam.

In 2019, Ireland and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) established the Ireland Trust Fund for Building Climate Change and Disaster Resilience in Small Island Developing States.

This fund aims to help increase SIDS’ resilience to the impacts of climate change by supporting projects in climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and disaster risk management.

Credit: Phil Behan/DFA
African Development Bank Group President Dr Sidi Ould Tah met with Ireland’s Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, during the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg. Nov, 2025
African Development Bank Group President Dr Sidi Ould Tah met with Ireland’s Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, during the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg. Nov, 2025

Ireland and the African Development Bank

The African Development Bank is based in Côte d'Ivoire. The Bank provides finance to governments and private companies investing in the region.

Ireland has been a member of the AfDB since April 2020. The Department of Finance leads Ireland’s relationship with the AfDB. The Minister of Finance is the Irish Governor of the Bank.

Ireland contributes to the African Development Bank’s Africa Climate Change Fund (ACCF). This supports African countries to build resilience to the negative impacts of climate change. It helps in transitioning to sustainable low-carbon growth.

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