OeEB publishes its annual Impact Report today. The report shows the development effects achieved by OeEB's projects as well as their contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 2024 presents very pleasing results. Last year, OeEB supported more than 380,000 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in developing countries. EUR 428 million of the total portfolio of EUR 1.74 billion was invested in Africa. 17 percent of the portfolio was invested in least developed countries. More than half of the portfolio was allocated to climate-relevant projects.
"In our annual Impact Report, we report on the developmental impact our projects have achieved, which is of central importance to us as a development bank. Last year, we focused our activities entirely on our strategic priorities of green finance, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises & financial inclusion, infrastructure & industry and gender equality. It is therefore all the more pleasing that we can already directly monitor implementation with key figures. 48% of our projects contributed to Sustainable Development Goal 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth - in 2024. 18% on Sustainable Development Goal 9 - Industry, innovation and infrastructure. 51% of the portfolio, or around EUR 900 million, went to climate-related projects. In this way, we are not only fulfilling our mandate, but also making a significant contribution to sustainably improving the quality of life in emerging and developing countries," summarizes Sabine Gaber, who is responsible for the market-side business areas on the OeEB Executive Board.
Training measures for around 10,000 people
On behalf of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Finance (BMF), OeEB invests in economically sustainable and developmentally sound private sector projects in developing and emerging countries. In addition to loan financing and equity investments, OeEB also offers accompanying technical assistance measures, which include project preparation to make projects bankable and project support. These were particularly successful in 2024. A total of 183 companies and financial institutions were supported with expertise.The training measures benefited almost 10,000 people working in these organizations.
300,000 employees in OeEB-financed projects and companies
Job creation is the key to combating poverty. The private sector plays a crucial role in this. "Through financing provided by OeEB, more than 380,000 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises gained access to capital, which is essential for their further growth and job creation. More than 300,000 people were employed in the projects and companies that received financing from OeEB. This generates local income and strengthens the local economy," explains Steffen Suhany, who is responsible for risk management on OeEB's Executive Board. As equality in society is the key to sustainable development and poverty reduction, all OeEB projects are reviewed to avoid discrimination and specifically empower women economically. "At the end of 2024, EUR 173 million of our portfolio was invested in projects that contribute to the economic empowerment of women," says Suhany.
Around 7,000 GWh from renewable energies thanks to OeEB's commitment
2024 was the first year in which the average temperature exceeded the pre-industrial level by 1.5 °C. Global records were broken, contributing to extreme events such as floods, heatwaves and forest fires. "This underlines the increasing impact of climate change and the need to accelerate the green transition. It is therefore a logical step to push green finance and climate protection in our strategy. We are pleased to see that our measures are having an impact. In 2024 alone, 6,983 GWh were generated in renewable energy projects made possible by OeEB. This could supply around 2 million households in Austria with electricity for a year," explains Sabine Gaber.
Download OeEB's Impact Report
Find out more about the impact of the OeEB portfolio on development cooperation in its Impact Report 2024.