EBRD and UK Partner to Boost Private Capital Investment Globally

21 Feb, 2025

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the UK government are collaborating to mobilize private capital and drive economic growth in developing countries and the UK. EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso and UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves hosted a roundtable at the EBRD’s headquarters in London, bringing together UK-based businesses, insurers, and investors to explore investment opportunities in emerging markets.

The financing gap for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has widened to an estimated $4 trillion annually due to economic slowdowns, the Covid-19 pandemic, and urgent climate investment needs. Public funding alone cannot bridge this gap, making private sector involvement essential. Sub-Saharan Africa, where the EBRD is expanding operations, faces particular challenges in attracting private investment.

Ms. Renaud-Basso emphasized the importance of mobilizing private capital to meet global development needs and highlighted the role of multilateral banks like the EBRD in facilitating investment in emerging markets. Chancellor Reeves underscored the UK government’s commitment to leveraging the country's financial expertise to unlock global opportunities for British businesses, fostering international growth and economic resilience.

During the event, the EBRD and the UK government signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) confirming that the EBRD’s 2025 Annual Meeting and Business Forum will be held in London from May 13 to 15, 2025. This will be the first London-hosted EBRD Annual Meeting in nearly a decade, bringing together global investors, business leaders, government officials, and media representatives.

As a leading multilateral development bank, the EBRD remains committed to driving private-sector investment. In 2024, it unlocked €26.8 billion in total investment and continues to offer co-financing, technical assistance, concessional support, and risk mitigation tools to businesses looking to expand in emerging markets. The UK government aims to strengthen these partnerships and create new growth opportunities for British companies.

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