Ag Fund

What Ag Fund does

AGFUND (Arab Gulf Programme for Development) is a Riyadh-headquartered, private non-profit regional development organization founded in 1980 under HRH Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, with a mission to support sustainable human development and poverty alleviation for vulnerable groups — particularly women, children, people with special needs, and displaced persons — across 133 developing countries. It does not sell products or services commercially; rather, it deploys endowment-funded development financing (grants and equity) through three integrated mechanisms: (1) direct grant funding to UN agencies, international and national NGOs, and government bodies via semi-annual board approval cycles; (2) a network of nine wholly-owned microfinance ("financial inclusion") banks in Jordan, Yemen, Bahrain, Syria, Sierra Leone, Lebanon, Sudan, Palestine, and Mauritania, supported by the central AGFUND Microfinance Unit (AMU), collectively serving 7 million beneficiaries across 107 branches with US$1.06 billion cumulative disbursed loans; and (3) the Prince Talal International Prize for Human Development (US$1 million annually since 1999), awarded across four categories to identify and scale pioneering development projects aligned with the UN SDGs.

The organization's technology footprint is non-commercial — consisting of a bilingual (Arabic/English) content website, prize nomination platforms, and standard social media accounts — and it is not engaged in AI/ML, software product development, or proprietary technology commercialization. AGFUND is a member of the Arab Coordination Group (ACG), the world's second-largest development finance institution alliance (ten members, US$331.5B cumulative financing across 160+ countries), which provides it with significant co-financing reach. As of December 2025, AGFUND underwent a leadership transition, with Hammam bin Juraid appointed CEO and Dr. Nasser Al-Qahtani as Chairman's Advisor. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors and operates five programmatic focus areas: financial inclusion, early childhood development, women's empowerment, civil society development, and open education for youth, with additional equity support for the Arab Open University.

Name

Ag Fund

Legal name

Arab Gulf Programme for Development

Website

https://agfund.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

AGFUND is a Riyadh-based non-profit regional development organization founded in 1980 that provides grant funding and operates a network of nine microfinance banks serving 7 million beneficiaries across developing countries, alongside the annual US$1 million Prince Talal International Prize for Human Development.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Development Financing & Microfinance Banking

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

International Affairs (9721), Short-Term Business Credit Institutions (6153), Miscellaneous Business Credit Institution (6159)

akta.pro primary industry

International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Grantmaking & Philanthropic Funds (Institutional Donors) (BPADAOAB), Agricultural & Rural Development Banks (FSABAKAE)

Keywords

• Development financing
• Microfinance banking
• Financial inclusion
• Human development
• Humanitarian grants

Headquarters

HQ city

Riyadh

HQ country

Saudi Arabia

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Development Grant Funding: AGFUND operates as a development financing organization. It does not generate commercial revenue. Its activities are funded through endowments and grants, distributed as development financing (grants and equity) to support human development projects, microfinance bank capitalization, and the Arab Open University expansion.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

AGFUND is a regional development organization that funds sustainable human development projects for vulnerable groups in developing countries through grants and equity disbursed to partner organizations (UN agencies, international and national NGOs, government bodies). It directly owns and operates a network of microfinance banks that deliver micro-loans, savings, agricultural financing, and related financial services to the unbanked poor. It also awards the Prince Talal International Prize for Human Development (US$1 million annually) to identify and reward pioneering development projects.

Product overview

AGFUND (Arab Gulf Programme for Development) is a regional development organization founded in 1980 that supports sustainable human development efforts for vulnerable groups in developing countries. Its product portfolio consists of five interconnected offerings: (1) the AGFUND Microfinance Unit (AMU), which provides centralized management and technical support services; (2) a network of AGFUND Financial Inclusion Banks — microfinance institutions established across the Arab world and Africa — which form the core operational delivery mechanism; (3) the Prince Talal International Prize for Human Development, a US$1,000,000 annual award that identifies and rewards pioneering development projects; (4) Project Funding Services, which provide grants and equity to partner organizations for development projects; and (5) the AGFUND Forum, an annual symposium held alongside the prize ceremony. These offerings are coordinated across five programmatic focus areas: financial inclusion, early childhood development, women's empowerment, civil society development, and open education for youth.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Prince Talal International Prize for Human Development: A US$1,000,000 annual international prize awarded by AGFUND to recognize and encourage innovation in human development. Established in 1999; renamed after Prince Talal in 2018. Awarded across four categories: UN/international organizations (US$400,000), national NGOs (US$300,000), government bodies (US$200,000), and individuals (US$100,000).
• AGFUND Microfinance Unit (AMU)
• AGFUND Financial Inclusion Banks

Products and services

• AGFUND Financial Inclusion Banks Network A network of 10+ wholly-owned microfinance banks (currently nine operational) established by AGFUND across Arab and African developing countries to provide financial services to the unbanked poor. Banks offer diverse products including micro-loans, savings, agricultural financing, solar energy financing, education financing, housing improvement, and insurance, targeting women, youth, and small entrepreneurs.
• AGFUND Microfinance Unit (AMU) A centralized unit within AGFUND that delivers management services, technical assistance, capacity building, on-the-job training, cross-bank knowledge exchange, and advisor deployment for AGFUND's microfinance banks and broader microfinance institution (MFI) sector in the region.
• Prince Talal International Prize for Human Development An annual international prize of US$1,000,000 awarded by AGFUND to identify, reward, and disseminate successful pioneering human development projects. Distributed across four categories targeting UN/international organizations, national NGOs, government bodies, and individuals.
• Project Funding Services Grant and equity funding provided by AGFUND to partner organizations (UN agencies, international NGOs, national NGOs, government bodies) for the implementation of development projects across five focus areas: financial inclusion, early childhood development, women's empowerment, civil society development, and open education for youth. Funding decisions are made by AGFUND's Board of Directors twice yearly (June and December cycles).

Quantifiable outcome

• 7 million beneficiaries reached through AGFUND's financial inclusion banks
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

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

• Arab Coordination Group (ACG)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 June 2026AGFUND is a member of the Arab Coordination Group, a strategic alliance of ten development finance institutions. ACG convened its 21st Heads of Institutions Meeting in Vienna in June 2026. In 2025, ACG members collectively extended US$25.7 billion to finance nearly 735 operations in more than 97 countries. Over five decades, ACG has provided more than US$331.5 billion in development financing across more than 13,000 projects in over 160 countries. ACG members include: Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, Arab Gulf Programme for Development (AGFUND), Arab Monetary Fund, Islamic Development Bank, Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, OPEC Fund for International Development, Qatar Fund for Development, and Saudi Fund for Development.
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 April 2026AGFUND and UNDP signed strategic partnership agreements in April 2026 to support forthcoming publications under the Arab Human Development Report (AHDR) series and the Green Financing Platform for the Arab States (GFP). Support will cover the upcoming 2026 AHDR, technical support for GFP taxonomy development, testing innovative approaches in Djibouti, and strengthening Syria's investment potential. Over four decades, more than 90 project agreements have been signed totaling over US$25 million. AGFUND also joined as a founding member of the Global 'Takaful' Alliance working with UNDP to establish the world's largest partnership for enhancing financial resilience for 100 million people.
• UNICEF Gulf Area OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 February 2026AGFUND and UNICEF Gulf Area Office signed cooperation agreements worth US$1.6 million in February 2026 to support critical programmes for children and families in Sudan, Syria, Mauritania, Djibouti, and Armenia. Areas of support include health, education, nutrition, and early childhood development. The partnership, which began in 1981 under the late Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, has benefited generations of children across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. AGFUND has supported close to 100 UNICEF projects and provided over US$100 million in support over four decades.
• International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 December 2023AGFUND and the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), a member of the Islamic Development Bank Group, signed a Memorandum of Understanding in December 2023 to enhance cooperation in supporting development in member states. The MoU focuses on technical support and capacity building in Arab and African countries, improving conditions in areas such as farmer capacity development and women's economic empowerment. Cooperation includes resource mobilization, partner coordination for joint programmes, project impact assessment, and evaluation of development programmes.
• SilatechmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAGFUND signed a cooperation agreement with Silatech to implement the EU-funded 'Support to Youth Entrepreneurship and Financial Inclusion' project in Yemen. The project aims to create employment for 50,000 Yemeni youth and foster financial inclusion in Yemen through entrepreneurship support and microfinance access.
• Abu Dhabi Fund for DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the Arab Coordination Group (ACG). Abu Dhabi Fund for Development is one of ten development finance institutions in ACG, collectively providing coordinated development financing to over 160 countries.
• Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the Arab Coordination Group (ACG). BADEA collaborates with AGFUND on establishing microfinance banks in Africa, including 8 banks planned through the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) and 6 banks through the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC).
• Arab Fund for Economic and Social DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the Arab Coordination Group (ACG), one of ten development finance institutions providing coordinated development financing across Arab and African countries.
• Arab Monetary FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the Arab Coordination Group (ACG). AGFUND and the Arab Monetary Fund signed a MoU in December 2022 to coordinate efforts promoting economic development and sustainable development goals in the Arab region through expanding financial inclusion.
• Islamic Development BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the Arab Coordination Group (ACG). The Islamic Development Bank Group collaborates with AGFUND on establishing microfinance banks in Africa, partnering with BADEA and AGFUND for the planned 8 banks in West Africa and 6 banks in Central Africa.
• Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the Arab Coordination Group (ACG), one of ten development finance institutions providing coordinated development financing.
• OPEC Fund for International DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the Arab Coordination Group (ACG). The OPEC Fund hosted the ACG's 21st Heads of Institutions Meeting at its Vienna headquarters in June 2026, coinciding with the OPEC Fund's 50th anniversary.
• Qatar Fund for DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the Arab Coordination Group (ACG), one of ten development finance institutions providing coordinated development financing.
• Saudi Fund for DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the Arab Coordination Group (ACG). Saudi Fund for Development is one of the ten development finance institutions in the Arab Coordination Group working to support developing nations worldwide.
• Arab Open UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAGFUND provides equity to contribute to the establishment of Arab Open University branches and expansion. The Arab Open University was established as part of AGFUND's broader educational development mandate.
• African Development Bank GroupmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn January 2026, the Arab Coordination Group and African Development Bank Group launched a structured strategic partnership to scale co-financing and investment in Africa. This builds on ACG's existing commitment of US$50 billion for African development.
• Saudi Ministry of Foreign AffairsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn February 2024, AGFUND and the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs signed a cooperation MoU to strengthen joint efforts with regional, international, and UN organizations, and to develop a collaborative framework for implementing development activities. The agreement supports achieving Saudi Vision 2030 development targets and UN SDGs in financial inclusion, women's empowerment, digital education, early childhood, and civil society.
• University of ChicagominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn December 2024, AGFUND signed a partnership agreement with the University of Chicago as part of the Global Food Security Initiative to address food security and support smallholder farmers. The agreement was signed during the Prince Talal Prize Silver Jubilee ceremony at COP16 in Riyadh.
• Arab Africa International Bank for Development (BADEA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership agreement signed with BADEA as part of the Global Food Security Initiative announced at COP16 in Riyadh in December 2024, supporting smallholder farmers and food security programmes.
• Arab Organization for Agricultural DevelopmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership agreement signed with the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development as part of the Global Food Security Initiative at COP16 in Riyadh, supporting food security and smallholder farmers.
• Arab International Company for Agricultural Investment and DevelopmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership agreement signed with the Arab International Company for Agricultural Investment and Development as part of AGFUND's global food security initiative announced at COP16.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Islamic Development Bank: ACG member and Jeddah-headquartered multilateral development bank financing development across 57 member countries. Comparable to AGFUND in mission, ACG co-membership, and the joint establishment of microfinance banks across Africa, including the planned WAEMU/CEMAC networks.
• OPEC Fund for International Development: ACG member and Vienna-headquartered development finance institution providing concessional loans, grants, and technical assistance to non-OPEC developing countries. Comparable to AGFUND in development-finance mandate, ACG co-membership, and global geographic reach across 100+ countries.
• Abu Dhabi Fund for Development: ACG member and UAE federal entity providing concessional loans and grants to finance development projects in developing countries. Directly comparable to AGFUND in GCC-based DFI mandate, ACG co-membership, and co-financing of national and regional development projects.
• Qatar Fund for Development: ACG member and Qatar-based development finance institution providing grants, loans, and technical assistance to developing countries. Directly comparable to AGFUND in Gulf-based DFI mandate, ACG co-membership, and grant-plus-loan deployment model.
• Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development: ACG member and one of the oldest Arab DFIs, providing concessional loans to finance development projects in developing countries. Directly comparable to AGFUND in mission, ACG co-membership, and geographic focus across Arab and developing economies.
• Saudi Fund for Development: ACG member and Saudi-government development finance institution providing concessional loans for development projects in developing countries. Directly comparable to AGFUND in nationality, ACG co-membership, and Saudi-state-backed DFI mandate.
• Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development: Fellow ACG member and Kuwait-headquartered regional development finance institution providing concessional loans, grants, and technical assistance across Arab countries. Directly comparable to AGFUND in mandate (Arab development financing), membership in ACG, and multi-country grant/equity deployment model.
• Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA): ACG member and Khartoum-headquartered DFI providing development financing to African countries. Directly comparable to AGFUND in ACG co-membership and in actively co-establishing microfinance banks in Africa (joint WAEMU/CEMAC pipeline).

Emerging players

• Aga Khan Foundation: Geneva-headquartered private non-profit foundation operating development programs across health, education, and economic inclusion in low-income countries. Comparable to AGFUND in grantmaking-for-development mandate and multi-decade operational footprint in similar geographies, though broader in sectoral scope and not a microfinance-bank operator at scale.
• Grameen Bank: Bangladesh-based pioneer of group-based microfinance lending to the rural poor. Comparable to AGFUND's microfinance-bank network in target clientele (unbanked poor), loan-product design (microcredit), and focus on women borrowers, though AGFUND operates through wholly-owned subsidiaries rather than a single cooperative model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/AGFUND
• Xx.com/AGFUNDProgram
• Facebookfacebook.com/agfundprogram

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments2 records

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Frequently asked questions about Ag Fund