EBRD providing US$ 15 million to banks in Tajikistan

• EBRD providing up to US$ 15 million to ICB and Bank Arvand
• US$ 10 million loans to boost green lending, supported by Green Climate Fund
• US$ 5 million loan to promote women’s entrepreneurship, supported by the European Union through Global Gateway, the EU’s external investment strategy for sustainable development

Companies owned and managed by women, households and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Tajikistan will have new growth opportunities and better access to green technologies and climate adaptation measures thanks to fresh funds provided by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

The financing package of up to US$ 15 million (€12.9 million) will be offered to the Investment and Credit Bank of Tajikistan (ICB) and Bank Arvand (Arvand).

The ICB, which operates a nationwide network of 8 branches and 41 banking service centres in all regions of Tajikistan, will receive two loans totalling US$ 10 million (€ 8.6 million):

• A loan of up to US$ 5 million (€ 4.3 million) will be available under the Tajikistan Green Economy Financing Facility II (GEFF Tajikistan II) and will encourage residential and commercial borrowers to invest in green and innovative solutions that promote the efficient use of water and the sustainable management of land. It will be co-financed by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and supported by donor funding from South Korea, Austria and the GCF.
• A loan of up to US$ 5 million (€ 4.3 million) will be provided under the EBRD’s Women in Business programme for Central Asia, which is supported by the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative. The funds will be disbursed in local currency. This loan is the first in Tajikistan to be supported by the European Union through its Global Gateway investment strategy, with EU‑funded technical assistance and a first-loss counter-guarantee. This partnership with ICB Bank marks a major milestone in improving access to finance for underserved businesses across Tajikistan. By sharing risk and combining innovative financial solutions with targeted technical assistance, we are unlocking opportunities for women-led SMEs and other businesses that may otherwise be excluded from traditional lending.

Arvand, which runs a network of 12 branches and 61 banking service centres in more than 45 cities, will receive a loan of up to US$ 5 million (€ 4.3 million) to finance climate change mitigation and adaptation technologies. The transaction will support further expansion of Arvand’s green lending and promote inclusive access to green finance. The funds will also be provided under the Tajikistan Green Economy Financing Facility II and be available to borrowers in the local currency.

To date, the EBRD has invested more than €1 billion in Tajikistan through 192 projects.