By The European Times | Created at 2026-09-03 15:51:37 | Updated at 2026-09-03 16:37:32
47 minutes ago
- €250 million EIB Global financing agreement with Banco do Brasil unlocks €500million in microcredit for women-led and women-owned microbusinesses in Brazil’s Legal Amazon region.
- Financing is expected to provide access to finance to around 50,000women entrepreneurs, strengthening women’s economic empowerment and sustainable development in the Amazon.
- The operation reinforces the EU-Brazil Green Deal, the EU’s strategic partnership with Brazil and Global Gateway priorities on sustainable development in the Amazon, gender equality and financial inclusion.
The European Investment Bank Group’s development arm, EIB Global, has signed a €250 million financing agreement with Banco do Brasil to support women entrepreneurs in the Amazon region. The EIB financing will help Banco do Brasil unlock a total of €500 million in microcredit for women-led and women-owned microbusinesses, supporting inclusive private sector development in one of Brazil’s most strategically important regions.
The project will support private sector development in the Brazilian Legal Amazon through microcredit for microenterprises owned or managed by women. The operation is expected to reach around 50,000women entrepreneurs, helping to strengthen women’s economic empowerment, promote job creation and broaden financial inclusion in underserved areas. In doing so, the partnership will foster more inclusive and sustainable local economic development. The financing will also help pass on the benefits of EU-supported long-term funding to final beneficiaries, including through improved access to finance and longer maturities.
“This operation is a powerful example of how the EU’s Global Gateway can deliver real impact on the ground,” said EIB Vice-President Ioannis Tsakiris. “Together with Banco do Brasil, we are helping unlock €500 million in microcredit for women-led and women-owned microbusinesses in the Amazon, with EIB Global contributing €250 million. By supporting around 50,000 women entrepreneurs, we are fostering inclusive economic growth and reinforcing the European Union’s strategic partnership with Brazil.”
“This partnership with the EIB reinforces Banco do Brasil’s position as a leading catalyst for sustainable development and international cooperation. More than a financing agreement, it creates a platform to mobilize capital toward projects that drive climate action, enhance competitiveness, foster innovation, and generate measurable environmental and social benefits. By combining global expertise with local execution capacity, we are helping accelerate Brazil’s sustainable transition while demonstrating that economic development, social inclusion, and environmental stewardship are mutually reinforcing objectives. Banco do Brasil remains committed to connecting financial solutions with real-world impact, generating value for clients, investors, communities, and future generations,” said Jose Ricardo Sasseron, Vice-President Government and Corporate Sustainability of Banco do Brasil.
The transaction reinforces the EU-Brazil Green Deal, the EU’s strategic partnership with Brazil and the Global Gateway Investment Agenda in the country. It shows how the EU’s Global Gateway strategy can be translated into concrete, high-impact operations on the ground, channelling long-term finance to projects that support women’s economic empowerment, financial inclusion and sustainable economic opportunities. The operation also contributes to the Global Gateway flagship priorities in Brazil, including Amazonia+, the Amazon Basin Team Europe Initiative and the promotion of sustainable livelihoods in the Amazon region.
Background information
EIB Group
The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group is the financing arm of the European Union, owned by the 27 Member States, and one of the largest multilateral development banks in the world. In 2025, the EIB Group signed €100billioninnew financing and advisory services for over 870high-impact projectsundereight core prioritiesthat support EUpolicy objectives: climate action and the environment, digitalisation and technological innovation, security and defence, territorial cohesion, agriculture and the bioeconomy, social infrastructure, strong global partnerships and the savings and investmentsunion. Beyond long-term loans for large infrastructure, the EIB Group crowdsin private investment for high-risk innovative projects and businesses, with a growing role in Europe’s markets for venture debt, venture capital, guarantees and securitisations.
The European Investment Fund (EIF) is the subsidiary of the EIBGroupspecialised in providing guarantees,securitisationand equity to improve access to finance for small and medium-sizedbusinesses and startups across Europe. Acting as an anchor investor, through its extensive network of partnering banks and investment funds, the EIF mobilises private investment and nurtures the ecosystem of venture capital funds to support innovative European entrepreneurs.
With the support of all 27 EU governments, the EIF has joined forces with institutional investors in a pan-European alliance to mobilise up to €80 billion for investment into innovative companies scaling up to become global leaders. The joint effort will expand the size and scope of the highly successful European Tech Champions Initiative, which has helped create 15 European mega-funds and scale 45 companies, including 12 unicorns, since being established three years ago.
Photos of the EIB Group’srepresentativesand headquarters, logo files and video B-roll for media use are availablehere.
EIB Global
EIB Globalis the EIB Group’s specialised arm devoted to increasing the impact of internationalwin-winpartnerships and development finance, and a key partner ofTeam EuropeandtheGlobal Gatewaystrategy. EIB Global brings the EIB Group closer to people,companiesand institutions throughitsoffices across the world.
EIB Global in Brazil
Brazil is the biggest beneficiary of EIB financing in Latin America. Since the EIB started working in Brazil in 1997, it has provided over €6.44billion to finance investments in the country which represents around 35% of the EIB’s portfolio in Latin America.EIB financing in Brazil supports the country’s efforts towards the Sustainable Development Goals and climate neutrality, with a focus on climate action, renewable energy, sustainable urban development, gender inclusion, and local private sector development.
About Banco do Brasil
Banco do Brasil is one of the largest financial institutions in Latin America and a global leader in corporate sustainability, with ESG principles embedded throughout its business strategy. The institution delivers financial solutions to diverse stakeholders, fostering the transition to a more sustainable, inclusive, and low-carbon economy through support for regional development, environmental conservation, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and financial innovation. Recognized by prominent international sustainability indices and rankings, Banco do Brasil is dedicated to generating shared value for society and advancing sustainable development in Brazil.
