Sub-Saharan Africa, Caribbean and Pacific
African, Caribbean and Pacific countries (ACPs) / Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs)
The EIB, the EU’s house bank, has been an active development partner of the ACP countries and OCTs since 1963 and 1968 respectively.
Since 2003, the EIB operates in these regions under the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement and the Overseas Association Decision. Financing under these frameworks is provided from EU Member States’ budgets- the European Development Fund, alongside EIB own resources, which the Bank manages on a broadly self-financing basis by borrowing on the capital markets.
Within these frameworks, the EIB is entrusted with the management of the Investment Facility, a revolving fund which meets the financing needs of investment projects in the regions with a broad range of flexible risk-bearing instruments.
The EIB’s overriding aim in the ACP and OCT regions is to support projects that deliver sustainable economic, social and environmental benefits. The EIB concentrates its efforts on fostering private sector-led initiatives that promote economic growth and have a positive impact on the wider community and region. It also supports public sector projects, typically in infrastructure, that are critical for private sector development and the creation of a competitive business environment.
Republic of South Africa (RSA)
The EIB has been active in South Africa since its transition to a democratic government in 1994. Although South Africa is an associate member of the EU-ACP conventions, EIB financing is provided under a separate mandate: the Trade, Cooperation and Development Agreement.
The EIB's strategy in South Africa fully supports the European Union’s assistance policies, programmes and instruments by focusing on infrastructure projects of public interest and private sector support, including small and medium size enterprises. This is achieved by promoting equitable and sustainable economic growth, modernising the South African economy while contributing to employment creation, innovation, and capacity development.
Supporting microfinance in Kenya
The EIB has a long track record in microfinance both within and outside the European Union. It supports leading microfinance providers (MFIs), fund providers and stakeholders in increasing access to funding for micro and small-sized enterprises. The Bank’s most significant microfinance involvement is in Sub-Saharan Africa in countries such as Kenya where we aim at maximizing development impact in urban and rural regions as shown in this video.
