World Bank Group’s IFC makes US$40mil investment for 2.5% stake in Zetrix AI to improve access to Digital Public Infrastructure services

• Support development, rollout of new, blockchain-based DPI applications & AI-enabled products
• Development of DPI services essential to improving public service delivery strengthening competitiveness

To improve access to Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) services in Malaysia and emerging markets in the broader ASEAN region and beyond, the World Bank Group, through its private sector arm the International Finance Corporation (IFC), has announced a US$40 million (RM155.6 million) equity investment in Zetrix AI Bhd. On its website the IFC says it invests between 5% and 20% of a company’s equity. It also invest through profit- participating loans, convertible loans, and preferred shares. A senior executive at Zetrix tells DNA that IFC took a 2.5% stake for its investment.

The investment in Zetrix AI follows a Dec 2025 US$70 million financing package for XSD International Paper Sdn Bhd in Kulim, Kedah. XSD is a subsidiary of Zhejiang Xinshengda Holding Group Co Ltd, one of China’s largest paper manufacturers.

IFC’s investment will support the development and rollout of new, blockchain-based DPI applications and artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled products that aim to improve digital inclusion, access to services, and economic efficiency in Malaysia and the broader ASEAN region.

In Malaysia, these new services would integrate with the country’s digital ecosystem through MyDigital ID, the country’s digital identity system, and the Malaysia Blockchain Infrastructure (MBI), the country’s national blockchain service network.

Zetrix AI’s DPI applications and products aim to make a range of services more efficient, secure, and cost-effective, including the verification of digital IDs through to the digitalization of international trade and the tokenization of real-world assets, among others. The investment will also support Zetrix AI’s expansion of its DPI services into emerging markets in ASEAN and the rest of the world.

“This investment reflects IFC’s commitment to advancing Malaysia’s digital transformation agenda, in line with the Thirteenth Malaysia Plan, 2026-2030,” said Judith Green, World Bank Group Country Manager for Malaysia. “The development of Digital Public Infrastructure services is essential to improving public service delivery, strengthening economic competitiveness, and ensuring that growth is inclusive and sustainable.

“Investments like this allow us to scale innovative digital solutions and support the creation of resilient, secure and interoperable systems that expand access to services and opportunities for both people and businesses in Malaysia and emerging markets in the broader ASEAN region and beyond.”

“From digital IDs to digitised customs clearance processing to large language models and stablecoins, the real-world cross-border use cases in blockchain and AI that we are deploying are aimed at catalysing disruptive transformation across ASEAN and enabling deeper socio-economic integration in the region,” said TS Wong, Group Managing Director of Zetrix AI. “With the participation and market access from IFC, we will accelerate our global expansion plans.”

In fiscal year 2025 (ending June 2025), IFC committed a record US$71.7 billion (RM279 billion) to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries