EBRD earmarks up to $75 m to back Jordan’s MSMEs

06 / 04 / 2025

By Marwa Nassar - -

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing up to $ 75 million to Jordan’s Housing Bank for on-lending to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

The credit line will help increase financing to an underserved segment of Jordan’s economy. It will also support Housing Bank in expanding its MSME loan portfolio and reaching new clients outside the capital Amman, helping boost economic resilience and job creation.

MSMEs form the backbone of Jordan’s private sector, but they were hit by a fall in the country’s GDP growth from 2.6 percent to 2.4 percent in 2024 that further constrained their access to finance.

This agreement marks the EBRD’s third partnership with HBTF, following a $ 15 million (€13.8 million) loan in 2023 co-financed with the Green Climate Fund under its Green Economy Financing Facility, and a US$ 50 million trade finance facility in 2021 to foster export and import activities.

Matteo Patrone, the EBRD’s Vice President for Banking, said: “We are very pleased to have signed this facility, which further deepens our partnership with Housing Bank, a leading financial institution in Jordan. This third engagement reflects our shared commitment to supporting MSMEs and driving economic growth. Together, we are creating more opportunities for businesses to thrive and contributing to a stronger and more resilient economy.”

Housing Bank CEO Ammar al-Safadi said “This agreement is vital for Housing Bank, as it demonstrates a successful partnership between local and international financial institutions to foster a supportive business environment and stimulate investment. Additionally, the agreement will allow Housing Bank to expand its lending portfolio to MSMEs, enhancing its client base, improving the quality of its financing portfolio and increasing liquidity – all of which will reinforce its position as a leading financial institution in supporting development.”