EBRD

Welcome to the 3rd edition of the EBRD Annual Meeting and Business Forum 2025 newsletter. This issue focuses on trends in finance, highlighting key discussions on climate investment, women’s entrepreneurship and sustainable finance in emerging markets. Find out more about these important topics below – and don’t forget to register! ·      13-15 May 2025, London, United Kingdom ·      Expanding horizons, enduring strengths Registration is open: ebrd.com/am

Our Jurgen Rigterink completed his visit to Türkiye this week, where he held meetings with representatives of the country’s vibrant private sector. The EBRD invested a record €2.6 billion in the country in 2024, with more than half of the investments contributing to the country’s green transition.

Celebrating the remarkable success of the Green Economy Financing Facility (#GEFF) I programme in Egypt at a high-level event with our partners and donors. H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, together with representatives from the EBRD, The EU Delegation to Egypt, European Investment Bank (EIB), and Agence Française de Développement, handed awards to the four participating financial institutions in GEFF I: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK), Qatar National Bank (QNB), Bank of Alexandria (ALEXBANK), and Arab African International Bank (AAIB), as well as to the most outstanding energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in the programme. We heard from inspiring speakers including our Mark Bowman, Vice President of Policy & Partnerships at the EBRD, Mark Davis, Managing Director for the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean at the EBRD, Lorenzo Vingut, Team Leader for Green and Sustainable Transition at the The EU Delegation to Egypt, Mohamed Madkour, Resident Loan Officer at the European Investment Bank (EIB), and Elsa Faivre, Head of Unit, Environment & Sustainable Finance at Agence Française de Développement (AFD). Over the past seven years, the programme has provided $154 million in financing to support 130 green projects across 18 governorates, helping businesses and households adopt green technologies and practices. These investments have significantly contributed to Egypt's green transition, reducing energy needs by 1,153 GWH annually and mitigating 287,500 tonnes of CO2 emissions.  

We've kicked off the first phase of one of our largest digital transformation initiatives in the SEMED region—the digitalisation of the Suez Canal Economic Zone's One-Stop-Shop in Egypt. The digital services empower investors by enhancing accessibility, efficiency, and data-driven decision-making, fostering a more dynamic investment environment. This, in turn, contributes to the economic development and growth for Egypt by attracting investments, stimulating innovation, and creating job opportunities. This ambitious project is being executed by Agility, a leading global provider of Grade A supply chain services, infrastructure, and digital solutions. Agility is delivering TRANSFORA for the SCZONE, a comprehensive 360° enterprise management platform designed to streamline operations and enhance efficiency.

The EBRD continues to deliver strong financial results, recording a net profit of €1.7 billion in 2024 thanks to consistent backing from its members. We’re a leading promoter of private sector development and entrepreneurial initiative even in the most turbulent times for our 37 economies. We do so, while proudly maintaining our triple-A credit rating with all three major agencies. https://lnkd.in/d8U6FKp2

As part of the ESG Adria Summit, the EBRD co-hosted a high-level session on the role of energy auctions in scaling renewables across the Western Balkans. With funding support from SECO Economic Cooperation and Development (Switzerland), the EBRD’s Renewable Energy Programme has already enabled 1.8 GW of capacity.    Maria De Melo from the EBRD's Climate Strategy and Delivery presented the auction design, followed by the panel moderated by Adil Hanif, EBRD's Head of Sustainable Markets, bringing together regional ministers and private sector leaders to discuss how clear regulation, investor confidence and regional cooperation can deliver impact. On another session, our Regional Director for Western Balkans Matteo Colangeli discussed strategies for mobilising finance to scale green projects in the region.

One month to go before our #EBRDam in London, United Kingdom. Don't miss our biggest event of the year 13-15 May 2025. This year we will focus on 'Expanding Horizons, Enduring Strengths'. Check our programme this year: http://ebrd.com/am

Our Vice President for Banking, Matteo Patrone, together with MD for the SEMED region, Mark Davis and Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, Gretchen Biery, visited Lebanon this week where they met Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, the Minister of Finance and EBRD Governor, Yassine Jaber and Central Bank Governor Karim Souaid. The delegation wished the Lebanese authorities all the success during this important time for the country. Mr Patrone reiterated the Bank’s commitment to Lebanon, and that we are looking forward to the implementation of the highly needed economic reforms and an agreement with the IMF as it will enable the Bank to fully deploy its mandate and investments. The delegation had also meetings with Lebanese private sector players and key partners in the country. During all these challenging years, EBRD continued to be the only IFI in Lebanon supporting trade of essential goods and we are increasing it as part of the Bank’s response to the crisis. We have been also providing innovative support for SMEs. In 2024 alone, with funds from the EU we supported 91 advisory projects for small businesses and start-ups, bringing the total to more than 450 advisory projects to date. The Bank has also engaged in targeted policy support, notably in the renewable energy and the governance of State-Owned Enterprises.

Our Odile Renaud-Basso took part yesterday to #Eurofi High-Level Seminar in Warsaw. The deeper integration of Europe’s financial markets was the focus of a panel discussion with key policy-makers and industry leaders Jean Lemierre, Francesco Vanni d’Archirafi, Riccardo Barbieri Hermitte, Harald Waiglein, John Berrigan. Speakers shared views on how to strengthen competitiveness of EU capital markets. Ways to reduce market fragmentation, facilitate access to capital and also direct more capital to innovative industries were at the heart of discussions. EBRD President stressed that size and low liquidity are still a limiting factor in several EU countries, which is hindering the capacity of companies to develop. She highlighted EBRD’s role at diversifying the range and spreading more innovative products on those financial markets, but also at encouraging regional cooperation initiatives that would contribute to the European level effort. For example, building on the encouraging experience of the pan-Baltic markets development, eight Central and East European stock exchanges are pursuing an effort to integrate their capital market infrastructure in order to help increase liquidity and their visibility by international investors. Such local and regional initiatives are key to build a more integrated European financial ecosystem, well interconnected and contributing to the resilience of international financial markets. #Poland25eu #Eurofi

Reaffirming the Bank’s commitment to supporting the Palestinian economy during exceptionally challenging times, EBRD Vice President for Banking, Matteo Patrone, visited the West Bank, accompanied by Managing Director for SEMED Mark Davis, Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Gretchen Biery, and Lead Banker for the West Bank & Gaza Wad Taweel, CFA. The delegation met in Ramallah with Prime Minister, Mohammad Mustafa, Minister of National Economy and EBRD Governor, Mohammad Alamour, and Deputy Governor of the Palestine Monetary Authority, Mohammad Manasrah, as well as representatives from the European Union, the financial sector, and the local business community. The message was clear: the EBRD stands firmly by the private sector in the West Bank and is scaling up its efforts to foster resilience, stability, and economic opportunity. As a tangible step forward, the Bank signed with Palestine For Credit & Development - FATEN, the largest Palestinian microfinance institution, a new US$ 3 million loan, backed by the EU, to expand access to finance for MSMEs - in the West Bank - a vital engine of the local economy. Over the past 18 months, the EBRD has accelerated its activities in the West Bank, delivering €80 million in financing across 11 transactions. This brings total investments since 2017 to over €160.5 million. A testament to our unwavering commitment to inclusive and sustainable development in the region.