EFSE and Microcredit Company EKI expand support for women entrepreneurs through a EUR 5 million financing facility in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Mostar, 16 September 2026 – The European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) has strengthened its partnership with microcredit company EKI through a EUR 5 million facility aimed at expanding access to finance for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Part of the financing will be dedicated to women-owned and women-led businesses, reinforcing EKI’s commitment to promoting female entrepreneurship.

The new facility builds on the company’s longstanding support to women entrepreneurs and marks the second dedicated EFSE investment focused on women-owned and women-led enterprises.  By expanding access to tailored financing, the facility will help women-led SMEs invest, grow, strengthen their competitiveness, and create jobs, while addressing persistent barriers to finance.

 

Women entrepreneurs currently account for 32% of client base of microcredit company EKI , highlighting the institution’s important role in advancing inclusive access to finance in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Through this new facility, EKI will further deepen its outreach to women-led businesses while continuing to support the growth and resilience of MSMEs throughout the country.

Jasminka Berget, Portfolio Manager of EFSE said: " For over two decades, EFSE and microcredit institution EKI have partnered to support entrepreneurship and financial inclusion in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This latest investment further strengthens that long-standing collaboration, helping more businesses, including women-led enterprises, access the financing they need to grow, create jobs, and contribute to local economic development. We believe that expanding access to tailored financing can help more women-owned and women-led businesses realize their growth ambitions and contribute even more strongly to economic development."

Mirsad Simicic, CEO of microcredit company EKI added: “Women entrepreneurs do more than build businesses – they drive meaningful change in their families, communities and local economies. Their contribution to economic development is significant, and ensuring that they have the resources to turn ambition into sustainable growth is an important part of our work at EKI.

With three decades of experience supporting entrepreneurs across Bosnia and Herzegovina, EKI understands how access to appropriate financing can help businesses grow and reach their potential. Women already represent a significant share of our client base, and this new financing from EFSE will enable us to further support women-owned and women-led businesses as they invest, grow and create new opportunities. It also marks another step forward in our long-standing cooperation with EFSE to support entrepreneurship and financial inclusion in Bosnia and Herzegovina.” 

 

About EFSE

An impact investment fund established in 2005, the European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) aims to foster economic development and prosperity in Southeast Europe and the European Eastern Neighborhood Region. EFSE was initiated by KfW Development Bank with the financial support of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Commission. As the first public-private partnership of its kind, EFSE draws its capital from donor agencies, international financial institutions, and private institutional investors. Finance in Motion Asset Management S.à r.l., serves as EFSE’s Portfolio Manager and Hauck & Aufhäuser Fund Services S.A., Luxembourg, acts as manager.  

For more information on the European Fund for Southeast Europe, please visit: www.efse.lu  

About Finance in Motion

Finance in Motion structures, manages, and advises almost €4 billion across 10 funds, all classified as SFDR Article 9. These private market funds drive impact for people and planet through regional financial intermediaries, direct investments, advisory and capacity building. Founded in Germany, with local expertise from Latin America to Eastern Europe, it has been investing in emerging markets for over 20 years.  

For more information, please visit: www.finance-in-motion-com    
 

About Microcredit company EKI:

Established in 1996 through a programme of World Vision International, EKI began its work by providing microfinance support to individuals and small businesses in local communities across Bosnia and Herzegovina. In 2008, the organisation continued its activities as Microcredit Foundation EKI (MCF EKI), while in 2013 it expanded its operations through the establishment of Microcredit Company EKI (MCC EKI).

Today, MCF EKI and MCC EKI operate alongside each other, providing financing solutions to individuals, entrepreneurs, farmers and micro, small and medium-sized businesses across Bosnia and Herzegovina.  

Over three decades, MCO EKI has expanded its presence to 87 branches and now serves around 39,000 clients with a team of 431 employees and a portfolio of approximately BAM 300 million. 

 

Media Contacts: 

EFSE: Nusha Westhoff 
Director Marketing & Communications 
+49 69 271 035-789 
press@efse.lu

Microcredit company EKI: Borislav Petrić
Director of Marketing
+387 65 624 752
office@eki.ba