The European Investment Bank’s development arm, EIB Global, has been named “Development Lender of the Year” at the Uxolo Pathfinder Awards, recognizing its expanding role in financing global development projects outside the European Union.
The award highlights the European Investment Bank Group’s growing international footprint and its ability to support infrastructure, energy, and social development projects in regions where financing needs are most acute. In 2025, EIB Global committed more than €9 billion in financing, strengthening partnerships across emerging and developing economies.
The institution also adopted a new strategy aimed at aligning its external operations more closely with European Union priorities while increasing its development impact on the ground. Officials emphasized the bank’s role as a leading global public financier in sectors such as water, health, clean energy, transport, and private sector development.
Alongside the award, several EIB-supported projects were recognized for their development impact. In Ukraine, the bank provided a €350 million loan to Naftogaz to strengthen energy resilience, rebuild gas reserves, and support recovery efforts amid ongoing pressure on energy infrastructure. The financing package also includes EU grant support and is linked to longer-term investments in renewable energy and decarbonization.
In Egypt, EIB-backed financing contributed to the Obelisk Solar Project, a large-scale hybrid renewable energy development combining a 1.1 GW solar facility with battery storage capacity. Supported alongside other international development finance institutions, the project is designed to improve energy reliability while accelerating the region’s transition toward clean power systems.
The Uxolo Pathfinder Awards recognize innovation and effectiveness in development finance, particularly projects that open new markets or introduce scalable solutions with measurable impact. EIB Global’s recognition reflects its expanding role in mobilizing capital for sustainable development and supporting long-term economic resilience in partner countries worldwide.
