• EBRD partners with Credo Bank to boost MSME financing in Georgia 
• Local currency lending to expand access for regional and women-led businesses
• Funds will support women entrepreneurs and strengthen inclusion

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is strengthening its support for small businesses in Georgia with a new loan of up to US$ 40 million (€34.6 million equivalent) to Credo Bank.

The financing will help Credo Bank expand access to medium-term finance for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) across the country, with a strong focus on regional areas and women-led businesses.

By providing funding in local currency, the EBRD is addressing a key constraint that Georgian businesses face – namely, limited access to affordable mid-term financing in lari. The facility is expected to support the growth and resilience of MSMEs, which are a cornerstone of Georgia’s economy and a crucial source of employment.

Particular emphasis will be placed on promoting inclusive access to finance. Credo Bank will on-lend at least 45 per cent of the proceeds to women-led and women-owned businesses, helping to close persistent gender gaps in access to finance and economic opportunities.

The investment will also support greater competitiveness in the MSME sector, including through expanded outreach to new clients and enhanced penetration in regional markets, where access to finance remains more limited.

Credo Bank is a longstanding partner of the EBRD and one of the leading MSME-focused banks in Georgia, with a strong regional footprint and extensive experience in serving underserved and rural communities. The new facility builds on a successful track record of cooperation between the two institutions.

The investment aligns with the EBRD’s strategy for Georgia, which prioritises strengthening the resilience and competitiveness of the private sector and promoting greater inclusion in terms of access to economic opportunities.

Since the start of its operations in Georgia in 1996, the EBRD has invested more than €5.79 billion in the country across 318 projects, supporting the private sector, financial institutions and sustainable economic development.