The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) was the United States government's development finance institution until it merged with the Development Credit Authority (DCA) of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to form the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). OPIC mobilized private capital to help solve critical development challenges and, in doing so, advanced the foreign policy of the United States and national security objectives.

Working with the U.S. private sector, it helped U.S. businesses gain footholds in emerging markets, catalyzing revenues, jobs and growth opportunities both at home and abroad. It achieved its mission by providing investors with financing, political risk insurance, and support for private equity investment funds, when commercial funding could not be obtained elsewhere. Established as an agency of the U.S. government in 1971, OPIC operated on a self-sustaining basis at no net cost to American taxpayers.

All OPIC projects adhered to high environmental and social standards and respected human rights, including worker's rights. By mandating high standards, OPIC aimed to raise the industry and regional standards in countries where it funded projects. OPIC services were available for new and expanding business enterprises in more than 160 countries worldwide.