The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing a loan of up to €5 million to Kosovo’s Banka për Biznes to support the digitalisation and green transition of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the Bank said on Thursday.
The financing, part of the EBRD’s Go Digital in the Western Balkans programme, marks the first such investment in Kosovo. It aims to help SMEs modernise operations, adopt EU standards and boost competitiveness in regional and international markets.
The loan will be backed by EU-funded investment incentives covering 10% of sub-loans, as well as technical assistance under the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), the EBRD said.
At least 60% of the funds will be allocated to projects aligned with the EBRD’s Green Economy Transition (GET) approach. The programme will also prioritise support for women-led businesses and inclusive entrepreneurship.
Francis Malige, EBRD Managing Director for Financial Institutions, and Mimoza Godanci-Aliu, CEO of Banka për Biznes, signed the agreement during the programme’s regional launch in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“Digitalising SMEs is not only vital for alignment with EU standards, but also a critical step towards fostering a more sustainable and forward-looking private sector,” Malige said.
Godanci-Aliu said the partnership would help prepare businesses in Kosovo for a future centred on automation and digitalisation. “Our dedication goes beyond financing, offering technical assistance and strategic guidance to help clients thrive in a competitive landscape,” she added.
Johannes Stenbæk Madsen, Head of Cooperation at the EU Office in Kosovo, said the EU was proud to back the initiative, calling it “a vital step toward innovation, resilience and inclusive economic growth.”
Established in 2001, Banka për Biznes focuses on SME lending and has previously partnered with the EBRD on multiple credit lines.
The EBRD has invested more than €775 million in Kosovo through over 120 projects to date.
