The European Investment Bank (EIB), has signed a €250 million financing agreement with Banco do Brasil to support women entrepreneurs in Brazil’s Legal Amazon region, according to a press release. The financing will help Banco do Brasil unlock a total of €500 million in microcredit for women-led and women-owned microbusinesses. The operation is expected to reach around 50,000 women entrepreneurs. It aims to strengthen women’s economic empowerment, job creation, and financial inclusion. The partnership reinforces the EU-Brazil Green Deal and Global Gateway priorities.
The project targets private sector development in the Brazilian Legal Amazon, one of the country’s most strategically important regions. It focuses on microcredit for microenterprises owned or managed by women. The initiative seeks to broaden financial inclusion in underserved areas and foster more inclusive and sustainable local economic development. The financing will pass on the benefits of EU-supported long-term funding to final beneficiaries. This includes improved access to finance and longer maturities.
The operation contributes to the Global Gateway flagship priorities in Brazil, including Amazonia+, the Amazon Basin Team Europe Initiative, and the promotion of sustainable livelihoods in the Amazon region. It illustrates how the EU’s Global Gateway strategy can translate into concrete, high-impact operations. Long-term finance will be channeled to projects supporting women’s economic empowerment and sustainable economic opportunities. The transaction reinforces the EU’s strategic partnership with Brazil. It also aligns with the Global Gateway Investment Agenda in the country.
“This operation is a powerful example of how the EU’s Global Gateway can deliver real impact on the ground,” said EIB Vice-President Ioannis Tsakiris. He added that the partnership with Banco do Brasil is helping unlock €500 million in microcredit for women-led and women-owned microbusinesses in the Amazon, with EIB Global contributing €250 million. Jose Ricardo Sasseron, Vice-President Government and Corporate Sustainability of Banco do Brasil, said the agreement reinforces the bank’s position as a leading catalyst for sustainable development and international cooperation. He described it as a platform to mobilize capital toward projects that drive climate action, enhance competitiveness, and foster innovation. Sasseron emphasized combining global expertise with local execution capacity to accelerate Brazil’s sustainable transition.
Brazil is the biggest beneficiary of EIB financing in Latin America. Since the EIB started working in Brazil in 1997, it has provided over €6.44 billion to finance investments in the country, representing around 35% of the EIB’s portfolio in Latin America. EIB financing in Brazil supports the country’s efforts toward the Sustainable Development Goals and climate neutrality. Areas of focus include climate action, renewable energy, sustainable urban development, gender inclusion, and local private sector development. Banco do Brasil remains committed to connecting financial solutions with real-world impact for clients, investors, communities, and future generations.