The International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank Group, has announced a financing package of up to $150 million in partnership with Banco de Bogotá to support job creation, expand access to finance for small businesses, and accelerate Colombia’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
The investment is designed to channel private capital into key sectors including construction, transport, energy, and manufacturing—areas considered essential for productivity growth and employment generation. These sectors in Colombia continue to face structural constraints, particularly related to infrastructure gaps and limited access to long-term financing.
According to IFC, the financing will be distributed across three main areas. Around 20 percent will support transition finance initiatives aimed at helping companies modernise operations, improve efficiency, and adopt cleaner technologies. Approximately 30 percent will be allocated to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to support business expansion and job creation. The remaining 50 percent will be directed toward sustainable construction projects certified under international green building standards such as EDGE Advanced and LEED Gold or Platinum.
A key component of the initiative includes technical assistance provided to Banco de Bogotá to develop one of the first transition finance frameworks in Latin America. This is intended to strengthen the financial sector’s capacity to direct capital toward decarbonisation-aligned investments and sustainable development projects.
IFC officials said the programme aims to mobilise private capital at scale while improving access to long-term financing for businesses that are critical to Colombia’s economic growth. The focus on labour-intensive sectors is expected to directly support employment while also improving competitiveness and resilience.
The financing package is also supported by a performance-based incentive through the IFC-UK Market Accelerator for Green Construction, a blended finance initiative backed by the United Kingdom. The programme encourages financial institutions to expand lending for environmentally sustainable construction projects in emerging markets.
Banco de Bogotá leadership highlighted that the investment will enable companies to modernise operations, reduce energy and water consumption, and adopt more efficient technologies, thereby improving productivity and environmental performance.
IFC emphasised that the initiative aligns with its broader strategy to support sustainable private sector development in emerging markets, combining financial investment with advisory support to create scalable and climate-aligned economic growth.
