What Qatar Fund for Development does

Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) is a sovereign development fund of the State of Qatar, established in 2018 and headquartered at L9 Floor, Laffan Tower, Doha. It is chaired by HE Sheikh Thani bin Hamad Al Thani and led by Director General HE Fahad bin Hamad Al Sulaiti. QFFD provides international development financing and humanitarian assistance across education, healthcare, economic development, budget support, and relief aid sectors, deploying capital under directives from Qatar's leadership and in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The fund does not develop proprietary technology products. Its operating model is relationship-driven and human-led: direct engagement with governments, UN agencies, multilateral organizations, international NGOs, and civil society. Distribution of capital occurs through formal tender processes (for infrastructure contractors), an online Expression of Interest Portal (collaborateqffd.qa, with a USD 1.5 million minimum project threshold), and direct project agreements. QFFD requires minimum 50% co-financing for partner projects.

QFFD does not generate commercial revenue; rather, it disburses development capital sourced from State of Qatar government allocations. In 2023, total grants disbursed reached USD 501,082,590, with the largest line item being relief aid (USD 256,825,392), followed by education (USD 95,787,309), budget support (USD 53,749,100), economic development (USD 51,288,045), and healthcare (USD 38,566,783). QFFD partners with over 140 organizations globally, including 40+ UN agencies, and participates in multilateral vehicles such as the USD 2.5 billion Lives and Livelihoods Fund. The fund operates as a vehicle of Qatar's foreign policy and diplomatic engagement, with high-level participation at forums such as the UN General Assembly, Ukraine Recovery Conference, Paris Peace Forum, and OPEC Development Forum.

Name

Qatar Fund for Development

Legal name

Qatar Fund for Development

Website

https://qatarfund.org.qa

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) is a sovereign Qatari government development fund that disburses grants and humanitarian aid through partnerships with UN agencies, multilateral organizations, NGOs, and governments across education, healthcare, economic development, and relief aid sectors worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Development Aid

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), International Affairs (92812), International Affairs (928120)

SIC

International Affairs (9721), Foreign Governments (8888)

akta.pro primary industry

Grantmaking & Philanthropic Funds (Institutional Donors) (BPADAOAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH), Development Finance & Blended Finance Facilities (BPADAOAD), Trust Funds & Multi-Donor Pooled Funds (BPADAOAE), Development Finance, Guarantees & Blended Finance Programs (BPADABAM)

Keywords

• Development financing
• Humanitarian aid
• International development
• Disaster relief
• Development grants

Headquarters

HQ city

Doha

HQ country

Qatar

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Development Funding and Humanitarian Aid Grants: QFFD operates as Qatar's sovereign development fund, providing grants and development financing to international projects. Revenue is derived from Qatar government allocations and deployed through international development projects, humanitarian responses, and bilateral/multilateral partnerships. The fund does not generate commercial revenue but rather disburses development capital.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) is a sovereign development institution that provides grants and development financing for humanitarian aid, education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic development projects worldwide. It works with governments, UN agencies, NGOs, and multilateral organizations to co-finance and deliver development and relief programs aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030.

Product overview

Qatar Fund for Development operates as a national development fund that provides financial assistance and humanitarian support to developing countries. The organization offers development funding across multiple sectors including education (Qatar Scholarships Program), healthcare (hospital construction projects), economic development, and emergency relief aid. The organization partners with international organizations, governments, and civil society to implement development projects.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Qatar Scholarships Program Fully funded scholarship program covering tuition and living expenses for students from partner developing countries to study at universities in Qatar and abroad, supporting human capital development.
• Humanitarian Relief Aid Operations Emergency grant funding for disaster response, post-conflict recovery, and humanitarian crises delivered through UN agencies and humanitarian partners.
• Development Grants and Co-financing Projects Direct grants and co-financing for large-scale development projects in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic development worldwide.
• Healthcare Infrastructure Projects Grant-funded construction and equipping of hospitals and healthcare facilities in developing countries, delivered with government and NGO partners.
• Education Infrastructure Projects Grant-funded construction and equipping of schools and educational facilities in developing countries, delivered with government and NGO partners.

Quantifiable outcome

• USD 501,082,590 disbursed in grants in 2023 alone
• +3 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Generation Amazing FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 November 2022MoU for Sport for Development and Peace initiative promoting sports as a tool for peace and development in vulnerable communities. Aims to impact more than 6,000 lives through sports, specifically refugee children in Palestine. Partnership with Qatar Charity as third party.
• Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 April 2019QFFD signed a USD 5 million agreement with GCERF to strengthen prevention of violent extremism. QFFD supports GCERF activities through increasing knowledge of violent extremism, helping communities build awareness, promoting community engagement, and providing educational initiatives. GCERF is the only international organization dedicated to prevention of violent extremism, established in Geneva in 2014.
• Birzeit UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 December 2018USD 12.5 million grant under Qatar Scholarships Program to support university scholarships and campus infrastructure development over five years. Benefiting approximately 15,000 students, faculty and staff. Continuation of Qatar's support since 1996, including construction of Law Institute building.
• Qatar CharitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partnership for humanitarian aid distribution, development projects, and the joint Sport for Development and Peace initiative. Qatar Charity is Qatar's first volunteering charitable organization established in 1992.
• Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner for humanitarian operations including disaster management training camps, humanitarian corridors, and emergency response. QRCS is Qatar's first volunteering charitable organization working to help vulnerable individuals without discrimination.
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGoverning body responsible for managing Qatar's foreign relations and diplomatic affairs since 1971. QFFD operates under guidance aligned with MOFA's foreign policy directives.
• Qatar FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development supports Qatar's transition from carbon economy to knowledge economy. Established in 1995 by HH Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
• United Nations Agencies NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExtensive partnership network with over 40 UN agencies including UNHCR, UNDP, UNICEF, WHO, WFP, UNESCO, UN Women, FAO, UNEP, World Bank, IMF, ILO, and regional commissions. Partners for peacekeeping, development, humanitarian response, and climate action.
• Lives and Livelihoods Fund (LLF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSD 2.5 billion joint initiative with Islamic Development Bank, Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development, and King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre. Vision to raise the poorest out of poverty in IsDB member countries.
• Qatar International Search and Rescue Group (Lekhwiya)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCooperation for humanitarian air bridge operations and emergency response missions, including aid delivery to Venezuela earthquake-affected communities.
• Generation Amazing FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation established by Qatar for sport-led development projects. Strategic partner in Sport for Development and Peace initiatives targeting vulnerable communities globally.
• Global Financing Facility (GFF)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultistakeholder partnership hosted in World Bank supporting country-led efforts to improve health of women, children and adolescents. Works to unlock financing and bridge equity gaps towards Universal Health Coverage.
• Green Climate FundmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinancial mechanism of UN Framework Convention on Climate Change adopted in 2011. QFFD partners to support climate action in developing countries.
• Bill & Melinda Gates FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership in Lives and Livelihoods Fund. Gates Foundation aims to understand world inequities and solve them by partnering with entrepreneurs and organizations to create incentives harnessing private enterprise for change.
• International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerImpartial, neutral humanitarian organization protecting lives and dignity of armed conflict and violence victims, providing assistance and promoting humanitarian law.
• Turquoise MountainminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished in 2006 by HM King Charles III, works to revive historic areas and support traditional crafts in Afghanistan, Myanmar and Middle East. Has restored over 150 historic buildings and employed thousands of artisans.
• OrbisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Qatar Creating Vision initiative operating in Ethiopia to give hope and restore sight to those affected by trachoma and other eye diseases.
• SparkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization providing access to higher education and entrepreneurship for young people in fragile and conflict-affected societies, particularly in the Arab world.
• Education Above AllcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContributes to human, social and economic development through quality education with focus on those affected by poverty, conflict and disaster, championing needs of children, youth and women.
• SilatechminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreates jobs and economic opportunities for young people in Arab World, targeting 18-30 year olds. Established in 2008 at UN Alliance of Civilizations Forum.
• Digital Citizen FundminorStrategic or Co-development Partner501(c)(3) nonprofit helping girls and women in developing countries gain access to technology and skills for global marketplace participation.
• Education Cannot WaitmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUN global billion-dollar fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises, supporting holistic learning for refugee and crisis-affected children.
• Gavi, The Vaccine AlliancemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHelps vaccinate almost half the world's children against deadly and debilitating infectious diseases.
• Global Partnership for EducationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLargest global fund dedicated to transforming education in lower-income countries, multi-stakeholder partnership for quality education access.
• The Carter CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAims to provide human rights and alleviate suffering by preventing conflicts, enhancing freedom and democracy, and improving health.
• Margaret Thatcher Scholarship TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreates scholarships enabling promising students to benefit from education at Somerville, Oxford.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: The UK government's integrated foreign policy and international development ministry with annual spending exceeding USD 10B. Co-hosted the Global Partnerships Conference with QFFD participation and operates as a larger, more diversified bilateral development actor.
• Islamic Development Bank: Multilateral development bank serving 57 Islamic member countries with project financing, trade finance, and development programs. Co-leads the LLF with QFFD and offers a broader portfolio of instruments (loans, equity, guarantees) beyond QFFD's grant-focused model.
• Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: Largest private philanthropic foundation globally, focused on global health, education, and poverty alleviation. LLF partner with QFFD and a major institutional donor operating in overlapping SDG sectors, though with a private rather than sovereign funding model.
• United Nations Development Programme: UN's primary development network operating in 170+ countries with a multi-billion-dollar annual budget. A major QFFD implementation partner, but operates with multilateral UN governance rather than bilateral sovereign control.

Direct peers

• Abu Dhabi Fund for Development: UAE's primary bilateral development finance institution, providing loans, grants, and equity for development projects globally. Joint LLF partner with QFFD and a directly comparable Gulf sovereign development fund with similar concessional financing mandate.
• Saudi Fund for Development: Saudi Arabia's bilateral development finance institution funding infrastructure and development projects in developing countries. Operates with the same sovereign-led grant/loan model as QFFD and serves overlapping customer segments across the developing world.
• King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre: Saudi Arabia's humanitarian aid agency providing relief assistance globally, including emergency response and development support. A direct LLF partner with QFFD and operates with a comparable Gulf-state humanitarian mandate.
• Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD): Norway's bilateral development agency distributing approximately USD 4-5B annually for international development. Operates with a similar sovereign-led grantmaking model targeting education, health, climate, and humanitarian assistance globally.
• Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development: One of the oldest and largest Gulf sovereign development funds, providing concessional loans and grants for development projects across the developing world. Operates with virtually identical mandate, structure, and geographic focus as QFFD, making it the closest regional comparable.
• OPEC Fund for International Development: Multilateral development finance institution established by OPEC member states to provide concessional financing to developing countries. Shares QFFD's mandate of non-commercial development finance backed by Gulf hydrocarbon economies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/qatar_fund
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@QatarFund
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/qatar-fund-for-development
• Instagraminstagram.com/qatar_fund

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments3 records

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Frequently asked questions about Qatar Fund for Development