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Add to Preferred SourcesThe European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing a senior loan of up to €20 million to Raiffeisen Leasing Sarajevo to expand financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-cap companies in Bosnia and Herzegovina, according to a press release issued by the EBRD on 07 September 2026. The financing aims to accelerate investment in green technology and sustainable business practices. At least 50 per cent of the total amount will be allocated to projects meeting the EBRD’s Green Economy Transition (GET) criteria. The transaction marks the first loan granted in the country under a new regional framework. It reflects the Bank’s dual focus on SME growth and the low-carbon transition.
The loan is being provided under the EBRD’s Western Balkans Green Outcomes-Linked Debt Financing Framework (WB GOLD). WB GOLD is an innovative program that combines long-term funding with incentives linked to the achievement of green investment targets. Raiffeisen Leasing Sarajevo is the second-largest leasing company in Bosnia and Herzegovina, holding a market share of 26 per cent by total assets at the end of 2025. The company specializes in leasing vehicles and equipment. It is fully owned by Raiffeisen Bank Bosnia and Herzegovina, part of Raiffeisen Bank International.
The proceeds will be lent on to eligible SMEs and mid-cap companies across Bosnia and Herzegovina. The funds will back firms’ expansion and encourage investments that improve energy efficiency, increase the use of renewable energy, and enhance environmental sustainability. The project is expected to strengthen the competitiveness of local businesses by improving access to finance, particularly outside the capital. It will also help companies invest in modern technology and reduce their environmental footprint. At least half of the financing will be directed toward GET-eligible projects.
The operation will also help Raiffeisen Leasing Sarajevo further embed environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles in its business model and expand its green lending activities. Alongside the funding, the company will receive technical assistance for the verification and monitoring of green investments. This support will help it identify and assess eligible projects. The project is expected to generate significant energy savings. It will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions through investments in energy-efficient technology and renewable energy solutions.
The initiative contributes to the EBRD’s broader efforts to expand access to finance for SMEs while supporting the green transition across the Western Balkans. The EBRD is a leading institutional investor in Bosnia and Herzegovina. To date, the Bank has invested more than €3 billion in the country through 270 projects. Its priorities include strengthening private-sector competitiveness, supporting the transition to a green economy, improving connectivity and infrastructure, and fostering sustainable and inclusive markets. The new loan advances each of these strategic objectives.