WASHINGTON, June 12, 2026-The World Bank's Board of Executive Directors today approved $95.75 million in financing for the Kyrgyz Republic National Irrigation Investment Program, which aims to improve irrigation services, strengthen water security, and support more productive and resilient agriculture in selected areas across the country.
In addition to World Bank financing, the operation includes $50 million from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, $20 million from the OPEC Fund, and a $6.25 million grant from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. Together, these contributions bring currently committed financing to $172 million, with the project also expected to mobilize $11 million in private capital.
"The Kyrgyz Republic has set out a clear vision to modernize irrigation services and make water access more reliable for farmers and rural communities," said Hugh Riddell, World Bank Group Country Manager for the Kyrgyz Republic. "By bringing together public and private financing, this program helps turn that vision into a long-term investment platform that will enable more efficient water use, stronger food security, more competitive agribusiness, and better jobs in rural areas."
Agriculture remains an important source of jobs and income in the Kyrgyz Republic, but the sector is constrained by aging irrigation systems and water losses. Rising temperatures, more frequent droughts, floods, and sedimentation are increasing risks to water security, agricultural production, and rural livelihoods. The new project will help address these challenges through infrastructure upgrades, stronger institutions, and better irrigation management, helping lay the foundation for more resilient growth and job creation.
"The project is expected to benefit more than 450,000 people, improve irrigation services on about 82,000 hectares, and raise water conveyance efficiency from 35 to at least 70 percent," said Odete Duarte Muximpua, World Bank Senior Water Supply and Sanitation Specialist. "Stronger irrigation services for farming and agribusiness are also expected to help create about 85,000 more and better-paid jobs across agricultural value chains."
The project is based on three pillars. First, it will modernize irrigation and drainage infrastructure, improve water regulation and storage, strengthen dam safety, and deploy smart water measurement and monitoring systems. Second, it will enhance irrigation service delivery by strengthening national and local institutions, improving operations and maintenance, and increasing the performance of district-level service providers. Third, it will provide technical assistance and implementation support, including monitoring, environmental and social management, and preparation of future investments under the broader program. The project will be implemented through 2032 by the Water Resources Service under the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic.
The project is part of a broader, multi-phase government program expected to mobilize $540 million over the next decade to modernize irrigation infrastructure and services on more than 200,000 hectares and benefit nearly one million people in the Kyrgyz Republic.
