EBRD supports women entrepreneurs in Bosnia and Herzegovina

• EBRD provides €4 million senior loan to Mikrofin Banja Luka
• Financing will support women‑led micro, small and medium‑sized enterprises across Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Transaction backed by EBRD Shareholder Special Fund through risk‑sharing and technical assistance

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing a €4 million loan to Mikrofin Banja Luka, the largest microfinance institution in Bosnia and Herzegovina, to support women led businesses across the country.

The financing is being provided under the second phase of the Western Balkans Women in Business programme. It will improve access to finance for women entrepreneurs running micro, small and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs), helping them to start, grow and formalise their businesses, particularly outside major urban centres. The package will address persistent barriers that women entrepreneurs face in accessing credit, including collateral requirements and limited credit histories.

Mikrofin will also benefit from capacity building support aimed at strengthening its women in business product offering and outreach.

The transaction is supported by the EBRD Shareholder Special Fund, which provides risk sharing through first loss risk cover as well as technical assistance to strengthen lenders’ capacity and enhance the impact of women focused lending.

Bosnia and Herzegovina has one of the region’s largest gender gaps in labour force participation. Improving access to finance for women entrepreneurs is key to supporting inclusive growth, job creation and economic resilience in the country.

EBRD Vice President Matteo Patrone said: “Women entrepreneurs play an essential role in local economies, yet they often face greater obstacles in accessing finance. Through our partnership with Mikrofin, and with the support of our shareholders, we are helping to unlock opportunities for women led businesses across Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially at community level. This investment reflects the EBRD’s longstanding commitment to inclusive growth and to strengthening the private sector in the Western Balkans.”

Milena Haneš, Mikrofin Director said, said: “Mikrofin is excited to continue cooperation with the EBRD through the Women in Business programme. Female clients have always been a focus for Mikrofin, representing around 40 per cent of our clients. Implementation of this Women in Business project, and the related technical assistance, will give Mikrofin the opportunity to improve its lending practices and to create better lending options for female borrowers.”

Mikrofin Banja Luka was founded in 1997 and operates through 110 branches nationwide, serving micro entrepreneurs, farmers and small businesses. It is an existing EBRD client with a strong track record in on lending EBRD credit lines, including green and emergency response financing.

The Women in Business programme in the Western Balkans is part of the EBRD’s broader effort to promote gender equality, inclusive finance and private sector competitiveness in the region.

The EBRD has invested more than €3.4 billion across 260 projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina, helping to support sustainable infrastructure, the private sector and economic resilience.