The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Union (EU) have signed a €10 million senior unsecured loan agreement with Amen Bank, marking the first financing under the EBRD’s Green Economy Financing Facility in Tunisia.
The new loan will allow Amen Bank, one of Tunisia’s leading private banks, to on-lend to the private sector, including micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), while promoting equal access to green finance for women and men, the EBRD said in a statement.
The initiative aims to accelerate Tunisia’s transition to a green economy by supporting low-carbon, climate-resilient technologies and services.
A comprehensive technical cooperation package, funded by the EBRD and the EU, will assist Amen Bank in project preparation, implementation, verification, and monitoring. The package also includes staff training and capacity-building initiatives to ensure inclusive access to climate finance.
Additionally, the EU will provide investment incentive grants upon successful completion and verification of green projects, encouraging MSMEs to adopt advanced climate technologies.
The financing is also supported by the Currency Exchange Fund (TCX), an EU-backed facility that offers foreign exchange hedging at reduced costs to Tunisian banks.
Amen Bank, with a share capital of 174.6 million Tunisian dinars and 66.44% owned by the Amen Group, is recognized for its commitment to innovation and client support.
In June 2025, the bank was ranked the sixth-largest in Tunisia, holding an 8.5% market share in deposits and loans.
Since 2012, the EBRD has invested €2.9 billion in 83 projects in Tunisia, with 66% of these investments directed to the private sector.
This new financing marks a significant step in supporting Tunisia’s sustainable development and green finance ecosystem, reinforcing the role of private banks in driving climate-resilient growth.
