Support to the Global Infrastructure Facility

This grant is Canada’s contribution to the Global Infrastructure Facility (GIF) a World Bank initiative that aims to address massive infrastructure gaps (estimated at $1 trillion per year through 2020) in emerging markets and developing countries by facilitating the preparation and structuring of complex infrastructure public-private partnerships (PPPs) to mobilize private sector and institutional investor capital. The GIF is a unique partnership platform that offers governments multilateral development banks private sector investors and financiers a new way to collaborate on complex infrastructure projects that no single institution could do on its own with a focus in emerging markets and developing economies. During the three-year pilot phase GIF activities include support on regulatory reform market structure and project identification and appraisal through securing financing and credit arrangements. The GIF provides technical assistance and support for investment; assists with project preparation; and work to catalyze private sector investment in strategic infrastructure projects.

The expected intermediate outcomes for this project include: (1) smarter financing that is more focused on evidence-based high-impact “best buys” (RMNCAH health systems multi-sectoral); (2) scaled up financing from domestic and external sources; (3) more sustainable financing that enables countries to transition in equitable and efficient ways; and (4) improved capacity to track progress particularly through civil registration and vital statistics systems.