The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a $700 million loan to support Jordan in translating economic stability into stronger private investments and more, better job opportunities.
According to a World Bank statement released on Wednesday, the second phase of Jordan’s Growth and Competitiveness Development Policy Financing (DPF-II) program will support government efforts aimed at stimulating private investments, expanding access to finance, creating more job opportunities, and accelerating the country’s green and digital transition.
The Bank emphasized that “Jordan has maintained macroeconomic stability despite a challenging regional environment, recording a real GDP growth rate of 2.8% in 2025. Additionally, in 2024, it secured its first sovereign credit rating upgrade in over two decades, which was maintained again last year. The opportunity today lies in converting this economic stability into investments and jobs, accelerating growth, and expanding economic opportunities for all Jordanians.”
Jean-Christophe Carret, World Bank Country Director for the Middle East Department, stated: “Jordan has managed to navigate a difficult regional environment with discipline and determination, maintaining macroeconomic stability and continuing its reform momentum. This program will contribute to supporting the Jordanian government’s efforts to transform stability into stronger private sector growth by simplifying and lowering the cost of doing business, expanding access to finance—including for female entrepreneurs—and advancing the digital, green, and energy sector reform agendas. Combined, these measures can help unlock investments and create the conditions for more and better jobs for Jordanians.”
The Jordan DPF-II program supports two integrated reform objectives under the Economic Modernization Vision:
First: The program aims to make Jordan a more attractive destination for doing business by streamlining licensing procedures across sectors, updating the legal framework for electronic and cross-border transactions, and expanding social protection to include flexible contract and part-time workers—thereby helping to draw more individuals into the formal labor market. It also supports private sector investments in the electricity sector by enabling private transmission, generation, and storage systems.
Second: The program aims to foster innovation and deepen access to finance for companies and entrepreneurs. It supports reform efforts to modernize capital markets and adopt new financing tools, including crowdfunding, and facilitating cash-flow-based lending, which is vital for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that represent about 99% of businesses in Jordan.
The statement further noted that these reforms also help expand access to commercial accounts for unbanked micro-business owners, promote green finance—including the activation of Jordan’s National Green Taxonomy—update the legal foundations for insurance products, and transition toward the full digitization of government-issued payments. This milestone step will significantly reduce transaction costs, improve efficiency, and support digital inclusion.
“With the foundations of macroeconomic stability firmly established, Jordan’s economic reform efforts represent a major step in the country’s journey toward a more inclusive economy driven by private investment and backed by the promising opportunities of a green and digital future,” Carret added. “The World Bank reaffirms its commitment to supporting this agenda and turning stability into real opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs.”
