The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) and the Trade and Development Bank (TDB) Group have expanded their existing Murabaha trade finance facility by an additional $100m, with plans to scale it up to $200m. Both institutions signed the new framework agreement in Abuja during the fifth Arab Africa Trade Bridges (AATB) Programme Board of Governors Meeting.
In a joint statement on Thursday, ITFC and TDB Group said the expanded facility is aimed at strengthening trade operations across member countries. It will support the import and export of strategic commodities and provide liquidity to essential sectors in economies where both organisations share development priorities. The partners explained that the funding boost is expected to make trade easier and more efficient for both the public and private sectors.
The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the AATB Programme meeting, which focuses on trade, investment, insurance and infrastructure as part of ongoing efforts to improve economic cooperation between Arab and African countries. The AATB platform brings together key players from government, finance and development institutions to address the region’s trade gaps.
According to the organisers, the Murabaha facility expansion builds on more than $800m in TDB Group participation in ITFC-led syndicated financing arrangements over the years. Both multilateral financial institutions also expressed their commitment to strengthening their cooperation in 2026 and in the years ahead.
The new facility is expected to boost TDB’s ability to support its member states by improving access to trade finance for essential commodities, including agricultural products, energy supplies and industrial goods. The partners added that this will help stabilise supply chains, promote regional trade integration and support economic resilience across vulnerable markets.
Commenting on the development, Chief Executive Officer of ITFC, Adeeb Al Aama, said the partnership with TDB Group continues to show how strategic collaboration can deliver tangible development results. He noted that expanding the facility demonstrates ITFC’s commitment to enabling smoother trade flows, increasing private-sector competitiveness and fostering sustainable growth across Africa and the wider region.
Al Aama said, “Our cooperation with TDB Group continues to demonstrate how strategic partnerships can deliver real development impact on the ground. Through this renewed and expanded collaboration, we are reinforcing our shared commitment to enabling smoother trade flows, supporting private sector competitiveness, and advancing sustainable economic growth across the region.”
TDB Group President and Managing Director, Admassu Tadesse, also welcomed the agreement. He said ITFC has become an important partner in supporting TDB’s trade operations, especially in financing the movement of essential commodities. Tadesse added that the group looks forward to strengthening ties in trade, investment and economic cooperation between member countries of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and TDB’s regional markets.
Tadesse said, “We are delighted to celebrate and continue elevating our partnership with ITFC, which has become a key partner for TDB Group for the trade of essential commodities in our region. We look forward to continuing to strengthen trade, investment and other ties between OIC and TDB Group countries.”
Both institutions believe that the increase in the Murabaha facility will play a key role in expanding co-financing efforts and advancing private-sector growth. They also stated that the renewed engagement reinforces their shared commitment to improving economic integration, building stronger value chains and increasing trade competitiveness across the continent. The agreement is part of broader initiatives aimed at ensuring that African economies have reliable access to trade finance that supports growth, stability and sustainable development.
