- Loan under the Go Digital in the Western Balkans Programme to boost SME digitalisation, green technologies and competitiveness
- Signing coincides with the final module of the Addiko SME Academy, which equips regional entrepreneurs with tools for digital transformation and sustainable growth
- Go Digital loan is supported by the EU with grant incentives and technical assistance through the Western Balkans Investment Framework
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing a loan of up to €2 million to Addiko Bank Sarajevo in support of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The loan is extended under the Bank’s flagship Go Digital in the Western Balkans Programme, co-funded by the European Union (EU), and marks another milestone in the EBRD’s efforts to accelerate sustainable growth in the region.
The loan will help the private sector to innovate and become more competitive through digitalisation and green technologies. It will also strengthen SMEs’ capacity and trade potential by improving access to finance for EU-standard investments and promote inclusive growth by ensuring equitable financing for women-led businesses.
In addition to loans, SMEs can access grant incentives totalling 10 per cent of sub loans, encouraging them to invest in automation and digitalisation. The credit line will also be accompanied by a comprehensive technical assistance package supporting partner banks and sub-borrowers. The investment incentives and the technical assistance are both being funded by the EU through the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF).
Aleksandra Vukosavljević, EBRD Director for Financial Institutions in the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe, said: “This €2 million loan under the Go Digital Programme will help SMEs embrace digitalisation and green technologies, strengthen their competitiveness and align with EU standards. We are delighted to combine financial support with knowledge-sharing initiatives such as the Addiko SME Academy. By working with partners such as Addiko Bank, we are creating opportunities for businesses to innovate, grow sustainably and contribute to a more inclusive economy in Bosnia and Herzegovina and across the Western Balkans.”
Jasmin Spahić, President of the Management Board of Addiko Bank Sarajevo, added: “We continue to empower small and medium-sized enterprises, which are the foundation of our economy. Digital transformation and the application of green technologies remain at the heart of our initiatives, with additional support for women-led businesses. Our goal is to create efficient and sustainable models that contribute to competitiveness and long-term market stability. The regional Addiko SME Academy provides an opportunity for representatives of SMEs to improve business competencies, develop agile and scalable business approaches, and exchange ideas and best practices at the regional level, thereby strengthening the business ecosystem.”
This signing coincides with the final module of the Addiko SME Academy, a regional educational initiative launched by Addiko Bank in partnership with the EBRD and EU. The Academy brought together more than 50 entrepreneurs from Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina and, over two intensive modules, they explored topics such as business transformation, financial planning, AI integration and strategic innovation, supported by expert-led workshops and mentoring sessions.
The EBRD has invested more than €3.4 billion in 254 projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina since it began operating there in 1996. The Bank’s strategic priorities in the country are to promote the green economy, support the competitive development of the private sector and foster regional integration.