The International Holding Company (IHC), one of the world’s largest investment firms, and the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) launched a new partnership to strengthen the UAE-US investment relationship. Under the joint framework, the Abu Dhabi-based IHC will co-invest with the US in private sector projects, focusing on critical sectors such as energy, mining, logistics and agriculture. The initiative is designed to further shared economic priorities by boosting bilateral investment flows and reinforcing supply chains between the two countries.

Why this Matters

The IHC-DFC partnership brings together shared UAE-US priorities like expanding data center infrastructure and advancing energy security, while mobilizing large-scale bilateral investment. By strengthening supply chains and encouraging cross-border investment, the IHC-DFC initiative supports economic growth, resilience and long-term collaboration across the UAE and US.

“Together, IHC and DFC will focus on investments that strengthen and expand economic opportunity and advance shared U.S.–UAE strategic goals – all while making a return for the U.S. taxpayer.” – Ben Black, DFC CEO

Full Press Release: IHC and U.S. Development Finance Corporation Forge Landmark Collaboration to Mobilize Global Capital Across Strategic Sectors

·       IHC and U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) enter strategic agreement

·       Will work to mobilize capital across critical minerals, energy, logistics, healthcare, food security and Information, Communication and Technology (ICT)

·       Framework enables joint origination, underwriting and execution of high-impact investments

·       Reinforces IHC’s global investment reach and DFC’s mandate to scale private capital deployment

Abu Dhabi, UAE – 14 January 2026: IHC, a global investment company focused on building dynamic value networks, today announced a strategic framework with the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to mobilize transformational, private-sector investment across priority sectors and high-growth markets of mutual strategic interest.

The agreement was signed in Abu Dhabi in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of IHC, with Syed Basar Shueb, CEO of IHC, and Ben Black, CEO of DFC.

The agreement will enable the co-identification, underwriting and execution of investments across critical minerals and mining, energy and infrastructure, logistics and maritime operations, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, ICT and data-center connectivity, food security and advanced agriculture, and other enabling infrastructure. The collaboration will focus on projects spanning emerging and frontier markets, including opportunities aligned with major global trade and connectivity corridors.

Under the framework, IHC and DFC will work closely together, supported by a senior-level joint committee, to accelerate transaction execution and deploy capital at scale. The framework is designed to align long-term commercial returns with shared strategic outcomes, while strengthening resilient supply chains and advancing high-standard investment flows between regions.

The collaboration reflects the deep and enduring economic relationship between the United Arab Emirates and the United States and combines IHC’s global investment reach and operational expertise with DFC’s expanded balance sheet and mandate as the U.S. government’s international investment arm.

“This strategic framework with DFC represents a powerful alignment of capital, capability and conviction. By combining IHC’s global platform and sectoral leadership with DFC’s financial expertise, we are creating a scalable mechanism to deliver transformational investments across critical industries. Together, we aim to unlock long-term value, strengthen resilient supply chains, and drive sustainable economic growth across key markets that matter to both our nations.”

Syed Basar Shueb
CEO of IHC

 “DFC’s work with IHC is a crucial step in executing President Trump’s foreign policy vision and deepens the U.S.-UAE bilateral relationship. Together, IHC and DFC will focus on investments that strengthen and expand economic opportunity and advance shared U.S.–UAE strategic goals – all while making a return for the U.S. taxpayer. By leveraging IHC’s and DFC’s global reach and investment expertise, both nations will be positioned to deliver high‑return projects and promote world‑class investment standards.”

Ben Black
CEO of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation

Through this framework, IHC and DFC will pursue opportunities that generate measurable economic impact, expand workforce capabilities, support innovation in advanced technologies, and reinforce long-term development and security objectives across partner economies.