ADB reforms to boost lending capacity by 50% without capital increase
In 2025, ADB committed $29.3 billion from its own resources, marking a 20% increase from the previous year, while total support rose further with an additional $14.7 billion mobilised from partners.
The Asian Development Bank has approved a major amendment to its charter that will remove lending limitations and enable a 50% increase in financing capacity without requiring additional capital from shareholders, according to its Annual Report 2025 published today (23 April).
The reform comes as part of a broader set of institutional changes aimed at strengthening the bank's ability to respond to growing economic challenges across Asia and the Pacific.
In 2025, ADB committed $29.3 billion from its own resources, marking a 20% increase from the previous year, while total support rose further with an additional $14.7 billion mobilised from partners.
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"In 2025, ADB delivered unprecedented levels of support, with a 20% increase over 2024 and expected impacts of more than 3.3 million jobs and benefit to over 180 million people," said ADB President Masato Kanda. "This shows ADB's ability to deliver at a scale and with the speed that matches the demands of Asia and the Pacific."
The report highlights that loans, grants, equity investments, guarantees and technical assistance to both governments and the private sector rose significantly year-on-year.
Private sector development remained a key priority, accounting for $5.5 billion of total commitments. At the same time, around half of public sector financing supported infrastructure, institutional reforms and policy measures aimed at unlocking private investment.
Regionally, ADB allocated $9.7 billion to South Asia, $9 billion to Southeast Asia, $8.3 billion to Central and West Asia, $1.4 billion to East Asia, and $680 million to the Pacific, along with $302 million for regional projects. Finance, transport, and public sector management emerged as the top-funded sectors.
Beyond the charter amendment, the bank introduced several other reforms, including an updated energy policy to strengthen energy access and security, streamlined procurement procedures to enhance efficiency and value for money, and a new strategy to support critical minerals-to-manufacturing value chains linked to renewable energy and digital technologies.
Founded in 1966, ADB is a multilateral development bank owned by 69 members, including 50 from the Asia-Pacific region, and plays a key role in supporting sustainable and inclusive growth across developing economies.
