OeEB published its annual Impact Report today. The results demonstrate strong development and climate impact: more than 295,000 people are employed in projects and companies financed by OeEB. At the same time, over 351,000 micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) were reached, particularly through cooperation with local financial institutions. In addition, more than 10,000 people benefited from training programs as part of technical assistance projects directly financed by OeEB.
On behalf of the 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 provides accompanying technical assistance measures. "We combine climate protection with economic development in developing and emerging markets – and our latest Impact Report clearly demonstrates this. Sustainable investments lead to tangible improvements on the ground. Our financing strengthens employment, entrepreneurship, and economic opportunities, especially in challenging markets," says Sabine Gaber, CEO and Member of the OeEB Executive Board responsible for market-side activities.
Climate protection remains a key priority: more than 51% of the approximately EUR 1.7 billion portfolio is currently invested in climate-related projects. These projects enabled the generation of over 7,000 GWh of renewable energy and provided more than 435,000 people with access to clean energy. "Through our high share of climate-related investments, we are making a measurable contribution to the transition toward sustainable economic systems. At the same time, we are creating additional incentives for private investment through innovative instruments such as the newly launched ACP OeEB Climate Impact Fund," emphasized Gaber.
Mobilizing Private Capital as a Lever for Greater Impact
Another key milestone in the reporting period was the launch of the ACP OeEB Climate Impact Fund, initiated jointly by OeEB and Accession Capital Partners. The fund is structured as a fund-of-funds and invests in international private equity and infrastructure funds, which in turn finance projects in key climate sectors such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, circular economy, and sustainable mobility.
Strengthening the African Market
Regionally, Africa remains a priority, with more than a quarter of the portfolio currently invested there. The extension of the African-Austrian SME Investment Facility (AAIF+), an investment facility for Austrian and EU-based small and medium-sized enterprises looking to invest in Africa, underscores this commitment. The AAIF+ is funded by the Federal Ministry of Finance and implemented by OeEB. A concrete example is the financing of Pessl Instruments, an Austrian company that strengthens climate-resilient agriculture in Africa through the expansion of weather stations and digital agricultural technologies.
Strong Impact on Employment and Business
More than 295,000 people are employed in projects and companies financed by OeEB, while over 351,000 MSMEs have gained access to finance. Additionally, more than 10,000 people benefited from training through technical assistance projects. "Our investments make a tangible contribution to improving living conditions in our partner countries. Employment, entrepreneurship, and knowledge transfer are key drivers of sustainable development – and this is exactly where we focus our efforts," said Steffen Suhany, Member of the Executive Board of OeEB.
A strong example of how targeted measures can drive structural change is the collaboration with SANADCOM in Jordan. The financial institution focuses on small and medium-sized enterprises that previously had limited access to financing, many of which are women-led businesses. Through a technical assistance project supported by OeEB, SANADCOM was guided in tailoring its services specifically to female entrepreneurs - from adapting lending processes to developing new financial products and delivering comprehensive staff training.
A recent evaluation confirms the impact of these measures: gender considerations have been sustainably embedded within the organization, women’s access to finance has improved, and new economic opportunities have been created.
Impact Report
Learn more about the impact of the OeEB portfolio on development cooperation in the OeEB Impact Report 2025.