ADB launches financing facility to develop Asia critical minerals supply chains
Monday, May 4 2026 - 06:12 AM WIB
By Romel S. Gurky
The Asian Development Bank announced on Sunday that it has launched a new financing initiative aimed at strengthening critical minerals supply chains across Asia and the Pacific, with a focus on moving economies beyond raw material extraction into higher value industries.
The Critical Minerals to Manufacturing Financing Partnership Facility was introduced at the ADB’s 59th Annual Meeting, with the goal of supporting project preparation, policy development, and investment across the minerals value chain.
ADB President Masato Kanda said the initiative is intended to help the region capture more value from its mineral resources, including jobs and technology linked to clean energy and advanced manufacturing.
The facility consists of two components. A grant window will fund early stage activities such as feasibility studies, environmental assessments, and technical assistance. Japan has committed $20 million to this window, while the United Kingdom has pledged $1.6 million.
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A second catalytic finance window is designed to mobilize co financing and risk sharing from partners. Initial commitments include memorandums of $500 million each from Export-Import Bank of Korea and Korea Trade Insurance Corporation.
ADB said the facility aims to support the development of integrated value chains covering processing, manufacturing, and recycling of critical minerals used in clean energy technologies, electric vehicles, and digital infrastructure.
The initiative builds on ADB’s earlier programs in the sector, including support for battery manufacturing in India, geological mapping in Mongolia, and policy development in countries such as Kazakhstan and the Philippines.
Projects funded under the facility will be subject to environmental and social safeguards, as well as due diligence and impact assessments.
ADB said the program is intended to help meet growing demand for critical minerals while supporting economic growth and job creation across the region.
Editing by Alexander Ginting