EIB Global and Central Bank of Armenia Launch €100 Million Facility to Support SMEs, Women Entrepreneurs and Green Projects

EIB Global and Central Bank of Armenia Launch €100 Million Facility to Support SMEs, Women Entrepreneurs and Green Projects

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Bank (EIB Global) has partnered with the Central Bank of Armenia to launch a €100 million loan programme to boost financing for MSMEs and mid-caps, with a strong focus on regional, women-led, and green projects. Backed by the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+) and implemented with the German-Armenian Fund, the initiative is expected to support around 500 businesses and sustain 14,000 jobs nationwide. At least 45% of financing will target enterprises outside Yerevan, 30% will back gender equality, and 40% will promote sustainability. The partnership, signed in Yerevan by Martin Galstyan and Marion Hoenicke, marks the fifth EIB facility with the CBA and reinforces the EU’s Resilience and Growth Plan for Armenia, advancing economic inclusion, green investment, and long-term resilience.

(PRESS RELEASE) LUXEMBOURG, 29-Oct-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — The European Investment Bank’s development arm, EIB Global, has signed a €100 million loan agreement with the Central Bank of Armenia (CBA) to enhance access to finance for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and mid-cap companies across the country. The facility, backed by the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+), aims to strengthen Armenia’s private sector by supporting regional enterprises, women-led businesses, and green projects.

The signing ceremony took place in Yerevan, where Martin Galstyan, Governor of the Central Bank of Armenia, and Marion Hoenicke, Head of Division at EIB Global, formalized the agreement. Funds will be channelled through the CBA and distributed via participating commercial banks and universal credit organisations, with implementation support from the German-Armenian Fund.

The new programme is expected to benefit around 500 enterprises and sustain approximately 14,000 jobs. The financing will also be strategically targeted — with at least 45% of loans extended to businesses outside Yerevan, 30% dedicated to women-led enterprises, and 40% directed toward green and sustainable projects.

This latest partnership reaffirms the European Union’s long-term commitment to fostering sustainable growth, resilience, and economic diversification in Armenia. It also aligns with the EU’s Resilience and Growth Plan for Armenia, unveiled by President Ursula von der Leyen in April 2024, particularly focusing on investment in business development and connectivity.

Adrienn Király, Director for Neighbourhood East and Turkey at the European Commission, emphasized the strategic importance of the initiative:
“Support to Armenia’s MSMEs is not an isolated effort — it’s central to the EU’s Resilience and Growth Plan. This investment helps build a stronger, more diversified, and future-ready Armenian economy, bringing Armenia closer to the EU.”

Vassilis Maragos, EU Ambassador to Armenia, added:
“This EIB operation will provide affordable financing to hundreds of Armenian businesses. Its focus on regional growth, gender equality, and green investment reflects shared EU-Armenia priorities and delivers tangible benefits for communities.”

EIB Vice-President Teresa Czerwińska, who oversees the Bank’s operations in Armenia, highlighted the significance of the continued collaboration:
“With the backing of the European Union, we are providing our fifth loan to the Central Bank of Armenia, a long-standing and trusted partner. This new facility will reinforce economic resilience by ensuring reliable funding for small enterprises, particularly women entrepreneurs and sustainable projects, promoting a more inclusive and green economy across Armenia.”

Governor Martin Galstyan of the Central Bank of Armenia underlined the impact of ongoing cooperation with the EIB:
“Our partnership with the EIB has greatly expanded access to finance for Armenian SMEs. Building on the success of our previous programmes, this €100 million facility will help us further support green investments, empower women-led businesses, and foster balanced regional development.”

This initiative builds on four earlier EIB credit lines totalling €220 million, intermediated through the CBA, which have already strengthened financial inclusion and business competitiveness across Armenia. Under the new facility, the CBA will distribute funds to local financial institutions based on agreed programme criteria, ensuring that financing reaches eligible MSMEs and mid-caps efficiently.

Background information

About EIB Global

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. It finances investments that contribute to EU policy objectives. EIB Global is the EIB Group’s specialised arm devoted to increasing the impact of international partnerships and development finance. Within Team Europe, EIB Global fosters strong partnerships alongside fellow development finance institutions and civil society, and brings the EIB Group closer to people, companies and institutions through its offices across the world.

Media contact:
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+352 4379 – 83494

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SOURCE: European Investment Bank