European Investment Bank (EIB) Funding Outside Europe: Climate and Development Finance
27 matching capital sources on the ASFIP database · Last checked October 2026
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the EU's lending bank and one of the world's largest climate financiers. Outside Europe it works through EIB Global, financing infrastructure, energy, water and private businesses in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe's neighbourhood.
Direct EIB loans are usually large — often €25 million and above. Smaller companies mostly reach EIB money through credit lines given to local banks and microfinance institutions.
EIB funding routes
Direct loans for large public and private projects; intermediated credit lines for SMEs through partner banks; equity in funds that invest in businesses and climate projects; and technical assistance and advisory support, often with EU grants blended in.
How to approach the EIB
Before making contact, have a one-page summary ready: what the project is, where it is, how much you need and in what form (loan, equity, grant), what you have already raised, and the climate or development impact you can measure.
Match your ask to the funder's real ticket size and instruments. Most rejections come from asking the wrong funder for the wrong thing — for example asking a lender for a small grant, or an equity investor for early feasibility money.
The funders
Each profile shows mandate, instruments and sector appetite. Verified contacts and application routes are available to members.
- European Investment BankMDB · LuxembourgEU lending arm financing large-scale climate and infrastructure projects in Africa.DebtConcessional DebtGuarantees
- African Development BankMDB · Côte d'IvoireAfrica's premier multilateral development bank, financing infrastructure, energy and climate adaptation across the continent.DebtGuaranteesGrants
- International Finance CorporationMDB · United StatesPrivate-sector arm of the World Bank Group, investing in climate-smart businesses and infrastructure in Africa.DebtEquityMezzanine
- Africa Finance CorporationMDB · NigeriaPan-African multilateral development finance institution focused on infrastructure.DebtEquityMezzanine
- African Export-Import BankMDB · EgyptPan-African trade finance institution supporting intra-African trade and industrialisation.Trade FinanceDebtGuarantees
- Trade and Development BankMDB · MauritiusRegional development bank serving Eastern and Southern Africa.Trade FinanceDebtGuarantees
Showing 6 of 27 matching capital sources. The remaining 21 — including their verified routes and eligibility criteria — are reserved for members.
Common questions
- Does the EIB fund projects in Africa?
- Yes. Through EIB Global it finances energy, water, transport, digital and private sector projects across Africa.
- Can a small business borrow from the EIB?
- Usually through a local partner bank that has an EIB credit line rather than directly.
- What is EIB Global?
- The EIB's arm for operations outside the European Union.
Related guides
Official sources: European Investment Bank. Reviewed by the iSustain Global research team against funders' published criteria.