How to Secure U.S.-Backed Loans for Large-Scale Projects in the Middle East, Africa, and Beyond
Major infrastructure and industrial projects – like building a water treatment plant, expanding a manufacturing facility, or upgrading a power grid – require significant capital. For companies and government entities in the Middle East, Africa, and other developing regions, U.S.-backed financing programs offer a lifeline to fund these large-scale projects. Agencies such as U.S. EXIM Bank, the U.S. International Development Finance Corp (DFC), and others can provide sizable loans and guarantees with attractive terms. But how exactly can foreign organizations tap into these funds? In this article, we outline the steps to secure U.S.-backed loans for big projects, using real insights from the field. We’ll focus on Middle East and African scenarios, though the guidance applies broadly to other regions like South Asia or even parts of Europe seeking U.S. financing solutions.
Strategic planning session for a large-scale infrastructure project. Careful preparation and expert guidance are key to securing U.S.-backed loans for projects in the Middle East, Africa, and other regions.[16][17]
The Opportunity: U.S. Government Financing for Major Projects
The U.S. government, through agencies like EXIM Bank and DFC, has a mandate to support exports and development by financing overseas projects that purchase U.S. goods or involve U.S. partners. This is a win-win: countries in MENA or Africa get affordable financing for critical projects, and U.S. industry gets export sales. For example, EXIM Bank can typically cover up to 85% of the cost of a project’s U.S. sourced content, allowing borrowers to pay over 10–18 years with low interest rates. Such terms are often far better than local or commercial loans and can make multi-billion-dollar projects feasible.
Real-world case: In 2024, EXIM’s Board approved an historic $1.6 billion financing package for an Angolan solar energy and water infrastructure project[18]. This loan will fund 65 solar-powered mini-grids and water treatment systems across rural Angola, dramatically improving access to electricity and clean water[19]. The scale – $1.6 billion – shows EXIM’s capacity to finance large projects. It’s also not limited to Africa: EXIM and DFC are increasingly active in the Middle East. For instance, EXIM has considered financing a $100 million expansion of an oilfield in Bahrain[20], and it signed new partnerships to identify opportunities in the United Arab Emirates’ infrastructure sector[21]. The message is clear: if you have a viable large-scale project and plan to source American equipment or services, U.S. agencies may help you fund it.
5 Key Steps to Secure U.S.-Backed Project Financing
While the prospect of obtaining a large U.S.-backed loan is exciting, it requires meeting specific criteria and navigating a structured process. Here are the five key steps we recommend to improve your chances of success, based on Amberhill’s extensive experience facilitating such deals:
Eligibility & Preliminary Assessment: The first step is an honest evaluation of your project’s eligibility. EXIM and DFC will look at several factors:
U.S. Content: Generally, at least 50%–85% of the project’s procurement should be from U.S. suppliers to maximize EXIM support[10]. Early on, identify what U.S. equipment or services you need (e.g. American-made water pumps, turbines, software systems). Amberhill assists clients in mapping out a procurement plan to meet content requirements.
Creditworthiness: Large loans require assurance of repayment. If you are a government ministry or municipality, this might mean securing a sovereign guarantee or Ministry of Finance support. If a private company, your financials (and possibly your government’s backing or a strong off-take contract) will be assessed. We help review your financial statements, credit history, and any collateral or guarantees available.
Country Eligibility: Check that your country is open for U.S. financing. EXIM has a Country Limitation Schedule indicating where it can operate. Most Middle Eastern, African, and developing countries are eligible in some capacity, though terms may vary. Amberhill stays updated on these policies and can advise if any restrictions apply (e.g. sanctions or debt limits).
Application & Loan Packaging: Once basic eligibility is established, the formal application to EXIM (or DFC) must be prepared. This is a detailed package including:
Project description, feasibility studies, and business plan (what revenue or public benefit will the project generate?).
Financial information about the borrower (balance sheets, cash flow projections) and the project’s economics.
Details on the U.S. suppliers and quotes for the goods/services to be purchased.
Environmental and social impact documents, if required (large projects need to meet environmental guidelines).
Amberhill Global Solutions specializes in packaging these applications in line with U.S. agencies’ expectations. We ensure every required document – from technical feasibility to environmental clearance – is in order. This phase may involve answering agency questions and revising terms. Patience and precision are key; a strong, well-documented application greatly increases approval chances[22].Lender Coordination & Term Sheet: EXIM Bank usually doesn’t lend directly for private-sector projects; instead, it provides a loan guarantee to a commercial bank or arranges a bank syndicate. For sovereign or public buyers, EXIM can lend directly. In either case, you’ll need to negotiate loan terms. Amberhill liaises with EXIM-approved U.S. commercial banks on your behalf[23]. We invite banks to provide indicative terms (interest rate, repayment schedule) under EXIM’s guarantee. Thanks to the guarantee, interest rates are often very attractive (frequently tied to U.S. Treasury rates plus a small spread). We work to secure a long repayment tenor (up to 18 years for many projects) and grace period as needed. The outcome of this step is a term sheet or preliminary loan offer, which along with EXIM’s conditional commitment (e.g. a Letter of Interest or Preliminary Project Letter), sets the financing in motion[24].
Procurement & Compliance Management: In parallel with financing approval, the procurement process for U.S. content must proceed. We cannot overstate how crucial this is – meeting the U.S. content target and other compliance rules is what keeps the financing on track. Amberhill’s team provides end-to-end procurement support: we identify and vet U.S. vendors, obtain competitive bids, and coordinate with suppliers to ensure their products meet your project specs[25]. During this step, we also make sure to follow any EXIM guidelines (for example, shipping on U.S.-flag carriers if required, adherence to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, etc.). By managing procurement hand-in-hand with financing, we ensure there are no last-minute surprises. When EXIM issues the final loan authorization, your U.S. suppliers should be ready to ship, knowing payment is secured.
Loan Agreement, Disbursement & Project Delivery: After approval, you (the borrower) will sign a loan agreement, and the funds can start to be disbursed – often directly to the U.S. suppliers as they ship equipment. Amberhill continues to support you through the implementation phase: coordinating logistics, verifying that goods are delivered and installed, and handling any reporting required by the lenders or EXIM[26]. Large projects can have multi-year disbursement schedules, so we stay engaged to help manage drawdowns, interest payments, and compliance checks. Our goal is to see the project through to successful completion, with all parties satisfied. For example, on a hypothetical $200 million desalination plant in the Middle East, we would oversee everything from the shipment of U.S. pumps and membranes to arranging training for your staff – ensuring the project delivers its intended outcomes.
By following these steps, what might seem like an intimidating financing process becomes much more approachable. To illustrate, consider Jordan’s Aqaba-Amman Water Desalination & Conveyance Project – a massive ~$2.5 billion undertaking to address water scarcity. It required a blend of funding from development banks and government loans[27]. A project of that scale could very well tap EXIM or DFC for a portion of its financing if sufficient U.S. technology (say, high-end desalination membranes or control systems) is involved. With proper structuring, even a Middle Eastern or African megaproject can be bankable with U.S. and other ECA support.
Tips and Best Practices
Engage Early: If you think U.S. financing might be an option, engage with a facilitator like Amberhill early in your project planning. We can quickly run an eligibility check and flag any issues (for instance, if your project needs a U.S. environmental review or congressional notification due to size). Early engagement avoids wasted time on ineligible projects.
Leverage USTDA for Project Prep: The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) offers grants for feasibility studies and technical assistance for projects that might later seek EXIM or DFC financing. Middle Eastern and African infrastructure sponsors have used USTDA grants to hire U.S. consultants to develop project plans, which then made it easier to secure financing. This can be a great way to get your project “finance-ready” with minimal upfront cost on your side.
Be Ready to Meet Environmental and Social Standards: U.S.-backed financing comes with requirements to adhere to certain environmental, social, and governance standards. If your project involves, say, fossil fuels or is in an environmentally sensitive area, don’t be discouraged – EXIM by law cannot discriminate against sectors (even oil & gas projects are eligible)[20][28], but it will require environmental impact assessments. We help you navigate these reviews so that your project meets the necessary standards and community consultations.
Securing U.S.-backed loans for large-scale projects is a complex endeavor, but as many success stories show, it’s entirely achievable with the right approach. From West African hospitals to Middle Eastern energy projects, billions of dollars are flowing from U.S. agencies into international development initiatives. With careful planning and the full-stack support Amberhill Global Solutions provides (finance + procurement)[16][17], you can position your project to be next in line for this game-changing financing.
Call to Action: Have a large project in the Middle East, Africa, or beyond that needs funding? Contact Amberhill Global Solutions for a comprehensive consultation. Our experts will evaluate your project’s fit for U.S. financing, guide you step-by-step through the application, and manage the procurement of U.S. goods. With our help, you can secure the capital you need and focus on delivering a successful project on the ground.
