EBRD makes record investments in private sector and green economy in 2024

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) invested a record €16.6 billion in member countries' economies in 2024, which is 26% more compared to the previous year, Report informs, citing the bank.

The total investment volume attracted from all sources reached €26.7 billion. Within 584 projects, 76% of all investments went to the private sector, amounting to €12.5 billion - another record for the bank.

In 2024, 58% of EBRD investments were directed to projects supporting the green economy - a record €9.7 billion. The share of gender projects was 47%.

Annual disbursements reached a historic high of €10.6 billion, and the bank's portfolio grew to €61.9 billion. Operating assets exceeded €40 billion for the first time, reaching €42.1 billion.

For comparison, in 2023, EBRD invested €13.1 billion through 464 projects, which was also a record at that time. In 2024, the bank exceeded pre-pandemic investment levels. The EBRD's investment volume first exceeded €10 billion in 2019.

EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso emphasized: "We achieved record impact in 2024 both in volume and quality. We not only broke previous records but significantly exceeded them. Demand for our unique business model, combining financing and policy advice, continues to grow. Supporting Ukraine remains our crucial focus, along with strengthening green financing and gender equality projects."

Last year, amid the climate crisis and the need for private sector involvement, multilateral development banks (MDBs), including EBRD, strengthened cooperation. In 2024, ten MDBs agreed on joint actions to increase scale and operational efficiency. Additionally, EBRD signed a memorandum of understanding with the World Bank Group to respond more effectively to global challenges.

In 2024, EBRD also mobilized €1.63 billion in new donor funds, of which over €913 million was directed to support Ukraine. The European Union provided 68% of these resources.

EBRD also expanded its geographical reach: Benin and Côte d'Ivoire became new shareholders - the first sub-Saharan African countries among bank members. Thus, the total number of EBRD members reached 76, with operations in this region planned to begin soon, according to the bank's statement.