May 16, 2025
Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) President Ilan Goldfajn is in Cap-Haïtien at the invitation of the Haitian government, through Economy and Finance Minister Alfred Mettelus, marking the first visit by a multilateral development bank president in many years.
During the trip, he reaffirmed the IDB’s strong commitment to Haiti. His agenda includes meetings with Haitian government leaders and private-sector representatives, as well as visits to industrial parks and IDB-supported projects. The visit comes as the bank steps up efforts to support Haiti through a medium-term recovery plan and a focus on private-sector growth.
President Goldfajn also met with several Cabinet ministers to discuss how ongoing and upcoming IDB operations can support government priorities in health, education, infrastructure, and economic recovery.
At the government’s request, the IDB is leading the coordination of the Medium-Term Recovery and Development Plan (2025–2030), together with the UN, EU, and World Bank. The Plan focuses on three pillars: (1) economic recovery and private-sector-led growth; (2) basic services and human capital; and (3) institutions, justice, and security. The Plan uses a regional, phased approach – starting in the Great North – to map opportunities and bottlenecks and align investments with on-the-ground realities.
“We’re committed to Haiti’s recovery and the future of the people of Haiti,” said President Goldfajn. “We are working hand in hand with Haitian authorities to align resources, investments, and implementation on the ground.”
During the visit, the IDB and the government also signed a revised $125 million water, sanitation, and hygiene project for Haiti’s Grand North Region. The project will expand water access to more 130,000 households, while supporting service providers in a fragile environment.
Private-sector engagement is a top priority. The visit will also include a roundtable with Haitian business leaders to discuss how to mobilize investment and create jobs now – not wait for ideal conditions.
“Fostering private-sector jobs and income is essential to breaking the cycle of poverty and violence,” President Goldfajn said. “That’s why we’re investing in energy, infrastructure, and skills – and we want to deepen partnerships with Haitian firms and entrepreneurs.”
The IDB supports private companies through IDB Invest and IDB Lab, including in the Caracol and CODEVI industrial parks, both of which the delegation will visit. The mission will also include a meeting to explore the expansion of Cap-Haïtien Airport, as well as site visits to Hospital Justinien and Ecole Mère Anne Marie.
Over the last five years, the IDB has mobilized more than $670 million, including $200 million in the past year, to support critical investments in education, health, water, sanitation, and the private sector in Haiti. Building on this momentum, the Bank has proposed $243 million in new grant resources for 2025-2026. As part of this effort, $140 million in projects is under preparation, including a youth-skills program aimed at reducing gang recruitment and the rehabilitation of the emergency room and surgical ward at Hospital Justinien.