The World Bank has approved two major financing packages — a $105 million support package for Uzbekistan's primary education overhaul and a $700 million loan to bolster Jordan's private sector and economic competitiveness — signalling renewed multilateral focus on human capital and structural reform across two strategically positioned economies.

Uzbekistan: Transforming Primary Education by 2030

The $105 million package for Uzbekistan is structured to fund the country's 'Transforming Public Education for Economic Growth' programme, running through 2030. It comprises a $100 million concessional credit from the International Development Association (IDA) and a $5 million grant from the International Finance Facility for Education, according to the bank's press release.

According to World Bank data, school enrolment in Uzbekistan is expected to exceed 7.6 million students in 2026. Rapid population growth means the country must construct approximately 300 new schools annually to keep pace with demand — a scale of infrastructure deployment that underscores the urgency behind the programme.

Najy Benhassine, World Bank Country Director for Central Asia, noted that strengthening foundational skills in primary schools is central to building Uzbekistan's human capital base and advancing its long-term socio-economic development. Under the programme, roughly 50,000 teachers and school administrators are set to receive professional development, while 27,000 additional primary school seats will be created across six regions. Around 2 million students in grades 1 to 4 are expected to benefit directly.

Jordan: $700 Million Push for Private Investment and Green Transition

Separately, the World Bank on Wednesday approved a $700 million loan to Jordan under the second phase of the Jordan Growth and Competitiveness Development Policy Financing programme. The loan targets private investment stimulation, expanded financial access, job creation, and acceleration of the kingdom's green and digital transition.

The approval comes against a backdrop of regional turbulence. Despite a challenging environment, Jordan recorded real GDP growth of 2.8% in 2025, according to the bank's statement. Notably, the kingdom also secured its first sovereign credit rating upgrade in over two decades in 2024, reinforcing its stable macroeconomic outlook.

Why These Approvals Matter

Both packages reflect the World Bank's broader strategic pivot toward human capital investment and private-sector-led growth in developing economies. For Uzbekistan, the education push directly addresses a demographic challenge — a young, rapidly expanding population that risks outpacing the country's school infrastructure without sustained intervention. For Jordan, the financing provides a credibility anchor as the kingdom navigates an economically difficult region, building on its recent credit rating milestone to attract private capital.

This is the second phase of Jordan's competitiveness financing, suggesting a multi-year reform trajectory that the World Bank is co-authoring with Amman. Both programmes will be closely watched as benchmarks for multilateral development effectiveness in their respective regions.