EBRD to expand green and inclusive finance in Jordan

• US$ 25 million subordinated loan to strengthen Bank al Etihad’s Tier 2 capital
• EBRD financing to scale up green and inclusive lending
• Facility to expand access to finance for underserved MSMEs

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is supporting green and inclusive finance in Jordan with a subordinated loan of up to US$ 25 million to Bank al Etihad (BAE), one of the country’s leading commercial banks.

The loan will strengthen BAE’s Tier 2 capital base in line with Basel III requirements, enabling it to expand its lending activities and supporting its growth strategy.

The financing will be on-lent to eligible climate-resilient and inclusive projects across Jordan, with at least 60 per cent allocated to green investments and 40 per cent dedicated to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), including those led by women and youth, as well as businesses in underserved regions.

The financing will help to strengthen the resilience of the financial sector and is aligned with the EBRD’s Middle East Conflict Response, a framework to support economies affected by current geopolitical challenges that draws on the Bank’s crisis-response experience.

The signing marks the EBRD’s fourth subordinated to BAE, reflecting a strong and long-standing partnership since 2015 to support on-lending to MSMEs in Jordan. BAE was also the first bank in Jordan to join the EBRD’s Green Economy Financing Facility, providing financing to individuals and MSMEs for investments in climate change mitigation and adaptation technologies and services.

Since 2012, the EBRD has provided more than €2.3 billion through 86 projects in Jordan, of which 70 per cent have been in the private sector, including financial support to the Jordanian banking sector through MSME loans, subordinated debt and trade finance facilities.