EBRD Announces $200 Million Financing Package For MSMEs In Kazakhstan Through Bank CenterCredit

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has announced a major financing initiative to support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Kazakhstan. The funding package, worth up to US$ 200 million (€172.4 million) in local currency equivalent, will be provided to Bank CenterCredit (BCC), the country’s third-largest commercial bank. This marks the largest bilateral financing package the EBRD has ever extended to a bank in Kazakhstan.

The financing is structured into four separate senior loans, each valued at up to US$ 50 million (€43.1 million), with each loan targeting a specific area of economic development. A significant portion of the funding is aimed at strengthening MSMEs across the country. These businesses play a crucial role in Kazakhstan’s economy, contributing nearly 40 percent of the country’s GDP and providing employment to more than 4.4 million people.

Another portion of the funding will be delivered through the EBRD’s Women in Business (WiB) programme in Kazakhstan. This initiative is designed to support businesses owned or led by women, helping them access financing and grow their operations. Similarly, a dedicated loan under the Youth in Business (YiB) programme for Central Asia will focus on supporting enterprises run by individuals under the age of 35, encouraging entrepreneurship among young people.

In addition, part of the financing will be allocated under the Kazakhstan Green Economy Financing Facility II. This programme, supported by the Climate Investment Funds (CIF), aims to promote the adoption of renewable energy solutions and improve energy efficiency. It will help both businesses and households reduce energy consumption and transition toward more sustainable practices.

The loans supporting MSMEs, as well as those provided under the Women in Business and Youth in Business programmes, are backed by the government of Kazakhstan, highlighting strong national support for economic development and inclusion. The EBRD has a long-standing presence in Kazakhstan and remains one of the country’s key financial partners. To date, the bank has invested nearly US$ 12 billion (€10.2 billion) across 345 projects in the country. This makes Kazakhstan the largest and longest-standing recipient of EBRD investment in Central Asia, reflecting the bank’s continued commitment to supporting sustainable growth and development in the region.