The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has invested US$100 million in blue bonds issued by Housing Bank, marking the first blue bond issuance in Jordan and the wider Southern and Eastern Mediterranean (SEMED) region. The investment aims to support sustainable water infrastructure projects and strengthen Jordan’s transition toward a greener economy.
The blue bonds will finance eligible investments focused on sustainable water and wastewater management, including water desalination projects. The initiative comes as Jordan faces severe water scarcity challenges and seeks innovative financing solutions to improve water security and develop its blue economy.
Issued under Housing Bank’s Green Bond Framework, the bonds follow international sustainability standards, including the International Capital Market Association’s Green Bond Principles and the International Finance Corporation’s Blue Finance Guidelines. The financing will help increase access to long-term funding for environmentally sustainable projects that remain limited in the local market.
The EBRD’s investment will also support the growth of Jordan’s sustainable finance sector by strengthening Housing Bank’s capacity to develop future green and blue financing initiatives. Technical support funded by Luxembourg helped the bank establish its Green Bond Framework and prepare for the landmark issuance.
The investment represents the fourth partnership between EBRD and Housing Bank, building on previous support for small and medium-sized enterprises, green financing, and trade activities. Since 2012, the EBRD has invested more than €2.3 billion in Jordan through 86 projects, supporting private sector development, financial institutions, and sustainable economic growth.
Through this blue bond investment, the EBRD and Housing Bank are helping Jordan address critical water challenges while promoting climate resilience, sustainable investment, and the development of a stronger green finance market.
