Enhancing Development for Emerging Economies

Our key areas of operation &


Sustainable Development Goals

While these areas fall within the Bank’s mandate, they are also closely aligned with the 2030 Agenda, as discussed in the section Development Impact of NDB’s operations. In 2020, two areas were added, namely digital infrastructure and COVID-19 emergency assistance.

Portfolio of projects by key areas of operation 2016-2020 (USD million, %)

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Approvals by key areas of operation (2016-2020) USD million

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Number of portfolio projects by key areas of operation (end-2020)

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SDGs by key areas of
operation

Clean energy Clean energy

Clean energy has been a clear focus of NDB’s operations since the inaugural approvals in 2016. In the period 2016-2020, the Bank approved 15 clean energy projects. At end-2020 the Bank’s portfolio ... included 14 projects totalling USD 3.5 billion (14% of the portfolio), which are expected to increase renewable energy capacity in 2,800 MW across member countries.

As envisaged by SGD 7, addressing the clean energy challenge entails ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. It is also one of the core aspects of the energy transition and the commitments by United Nations’ members in the Paris Agreement.

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Affordable and Clean Energy
In 2020, the Bank’s portfolio of projects continued to be implemented, including through on-lending and parallel financing with other international and national development finance institutions.
Transport infrastructure Transport infrastructure

Transport infrastructure is the operational key area with the largest number of approved projects in NDB’s portfolio, which is also true for the value of approvals excluding COVID-related projects. ...

In the period 2016-2020 the Bank approved 17 projects for transport infrastructure. At end-2020, the Bank’s portfolio included 16 projects totalling USD 5.7 billion (24% of the portfolio), which are expected to contribute to the construction of 15,300 km of new or upgraded roads and 820 new or upgraded bridges, among other outputs. This operational area has diversified towards all member countries since 2018.

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Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
SDG 9 emphasizes the importance of building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization and fostering innovation.
Irrigation, water resource management and sanitation Irrigation, water resource management and sanitation

The area of irrigation, water resource management and sanitation has featured in the Bank’s portfolio since 2017. ...

In the period 2016-2020, NDB approved seven projects in the water and sanitation area totalling USD 1.9 billion, which represented 8% of the portfolio at end-2020 and are expected to increase drinking water supply capacity in 159,000 m3/day and sewage treatment capacity in 535,000 m3/day.

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Zero Hunger Clean Water And Sanitation
The area of water and sanitation has a primary alignment with SGD 2 on ending hunger, achieving food security and improving nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture and SGD 6 on ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
Urban development Urban development

The operational key area of urban development entered NDB’s portfolio in 2018 and has attracted strong interest from member countries. ...

During 2016-2020, NDB approved 14 urban development projects totalling USD 3.5 billion. At end-2020, the Bank’s portfolio included 13 projects that represented 14% of the portfolio and are expected to benefit 40 cities in four member countries and build 230 km of metro or tram rails, among other outputs.

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Sustainable Cities And Communities
The area of urban development has a primary alignment with SDG 11 on making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
Environmental efficiency Environmental efficiency

The operational key area of environmental efficiency entered NDB’s portfolio in 2017 and is aligned with NDB’s commitment to facilitate member countries’ economic transition to more sustainable ... and responsible patterns of production and consumption. It encompasses projects with innovative and environmental efficient technologies applied either in new economic activities or as a means to redress effects of past activities on the environment.

During 2016-2020, NDB approved four environmental efficiency projects totalling USD 1.2 billion. In 2020 there were no approvals in this operational key area.

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Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure Climate Action
Primary alignment of environmental efficiency projects in NDB’s portfolio with SGD 9 on industry, innovation and infrastructure and SDG 13 on urgent climate action.
Social infrastructure Social infrastructure

The operational key area of social infrastructure has entered NDB’s portfolio since 2017 with a project in Russia. ...

In the period 2016-2020, NDB approved three social infrastructure projects totalling USD 1.0 billion to two member countries (4% of the portfolio at end-2020). Among other benefits, the projects are expected to support building or upgrading 58 schools.

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Quality Education Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Social infrastructure projects in NDB’s portfolio are primarily aligned to SDG 4 on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all and SDG 16 on peace, justice and strong institutions.
Digital infrastructure Digital infrastructure

The area of digital infrastructure has entered NDB’s portfolio in 2020. A non-sovereign loan of USD 300 million was approved to support the project Cellular Network and Cloud Services Expansion ... in Russia through the Mobile TeleSystems Public Joint Stock Company.

Expected development impacts include not only greater broadband access to Russian households but also improving connectivity of small and rural cities across the entire country and enhancing data security and reducing costs for enterprises to migrate to cloud-based services.

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Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
The primary alignment is with SDG 9 on building resilient infrastructure and promoting inclusive, and sustainable industrialization and fostering innovation.
Multi-theme Multi-theme

The operational key area of multi-theme projects entered NDB’s portfolio in 2019 and involves mostly equity investments or on-lending projects that are in line with NDB’s mandate. ...

It allows for an expansion of the Bank’s outreach to national development and private financial institutions and supports projects with innovative business models that encourage capital markets participation in infrastructure projects. In the period 2016-2020, NDB has approved four multi-theme projects totalling USD 1.6 billion.

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Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
The primary alignment of multi-theme projects involves SDG 9 on industry, innovation and infrastructure
COVID-19 emergency assistance COVID-19 emergency assistance

NDB’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic in support of member countries’ demands entailed swift policy, operational and financial adaptations under the commitment of providing a total of ... USD 10 billion for the Emergency Assistance Program and its related fast-track facility. The six loans approved by NDB in 2020 totalled USD6 billion to combat COVID-19 consequences and support economic recovery.

At end-2020, COVID-19 related projects represented 25% of NDB portfolio.

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No Poverty Good Health and Well-being Decent Work and Economic Growth
The alignments of the Bank’s COVID- related loans were with SDG 1 on ending poverty, with SDG 3, ensuring good health and well-being and with SDG 8 on promoting growth and employment.

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Annual Report sets out the progress made in 2020 by NDB