Mandate & Strategic Priorities

Our Mandate

Flexible Capital for Development Priorities That Cross Boundaries

The World Waqf Fund is intended to address development opportunities that do not fall exclusively within the mandate of a single specialised fund. It provides a framework for coordinating investment capital across sectors, supporting emerging waqf institutions and strengthening the broader waqf ecosystem.

Priority Area 1: Cross-Sector Development

Support initiatives requiring integrated approaches across multiple development areas.

Illustrative areas include:

  • Food, water and energy security.

  • Healthcare infrastructure and community wellbeing.

  • Education, skills development and human capital.

  • Sustainable infrastructure and community resilience.

  • Integrated development programmes involving multiple institutions.

Priority Area 2: Emerging Waqf Sector Development

Help strengthen waqf ecosystems in countries where institutional capacity, legal frameworks or infrastructure require further development.

Potential areas of support include:

  • Waqf governance and institutional capacity building.

  • Legal and regulatory framework development.

  • Digital waqf infrastructure.

  • Training and professional development.

  • Early-stage development of national waqf programmes.

Priority Area 3: Strategic Co-Investment

Collaborate with specialised funds and eligible institutional partners on initiatives that benefit from combined resources and expertise.

Co-investment opportunities may involve:

  • Jointly developed cross-sector programmes.

  • Shared development infrastructure.

  • Programmes that connect multiple sector funds.

  • Initiatives where catalytic funding can facilitate additional participation.

Priority Area 4: General Development Priorities

Consider eligible development priorities within the Islamic World Action Agenda 2035 that are not adequately addressed by a sector-specific funding vehicle.

Illustrative areas include governance capacity, Halal SME ecosystem development and Islamic fintech ecosystem development, subject to the Fund's approved investment policy and appraisal requirements.

How We Assess Opportunities

Each proposed investment or grant is intended to be assessed against four central considerations:

Catalytic Effect

Can the proposed allocation help unlock additional capital or enable a sustainable initiative to progress?

Cross-Sector Value

Does the opportunity benefit from coordination across sectors or institutions?

Geographic Equity

Does it help address gaps in underserved countries or regions?

Development Alignment

Does it advance a recognised development objective within the Islamic World Action Agenda 2035?