THE INAUGURAL RATINGS — A RINGING ENDORSEMENT


The OPEC Fund reached a critical milestone last year when it was assigned highly favorable ratings by Fitch and S&P, two major international credit rating agencies. These inaugural ratings will allow the OPEC Fund to diversify its funding resources and borrow from bond markets in order to increase its development impact.


Fitch assigned a long-term rating of AA+/stable outlook. The rating agency cited excellent capitalization, a low risk profile and an excellent liquidity buffer as drivers of this rat- ing. The low risk profile was supported by the Fund’s strong status as a preferred creditor.


S&P assigned the OPEC Fund a long-term rating of AA, positive outlook. This rating was based on both quantita- tive considerations such as strong capitalization and a very strong track record as a preferred creditor, and qualitative considerations such as a conservative risk culture, sophisti- cated operational management and a potential increase in policy relevance over time.


Both Fitch and S&P assigned the OPEC Fund their highest short-term ratings of F1+ and A-1+, respectively.


Taken together, these ratings represent strong votes of confidence in the OPEC Fund’s financials and its ability to successfully realize its vision.


The demand for support in delivering the SDGs is huge and the clock is ticking. The OPEC Fund responded in 2019 with the adoption of its Strategic Framework 2030, which aims at expanding the institution’s development support and deepening its impact. Diversifying its funding sources and mobilizing partners’ contributions will enable the Fund to address long-term challenges as well as short-term emer- gencies on a new scale.


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