EFSE provides €50 million to Şekerbank to advance sustainable agriculture finance in Türkiye

Istanbul, 29 April 2026 – The European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) has signed a new €50 million loan agreement with Şekerbank to strengthen financing for sustainable agriculture and improve access to finance for micro and small enterprises, particularly in rural areas of Türkiye.

The first tranche of €20 million, disbursed in March 2026, marks EFSE’s first sustainable agriculture investment in Türkiye and the first loan in the country aligned with EFSE’s sustainable agriculture eligibility criteria. Şekerbank is utilizing the funding to support farmers and agri-MSMEs.The facility contributes to EFSE’s broader impact in Türkiye, supporting employment, productivity, and climate resilience in the agricultural sector.

Jasminka Begert, Portfolio Manager at EFSE, said: “This new financing underlines EFSE’s long-standing commitment to supporting sustainable and inclusive growth in Türkiye. Through this partnership with Şekerbank, we aim to accelerate the adoption of modern, sustainable, and resilient agricultural investments - such as water-efficient irrigation, sustainable soil management, and digital, climate-smart solutions - among Turkish farmers and agri-SMEs. This partnership directly addresses the challenge of constrained access to finance among agricultural producers, while strengthening their incomes, productivity, and adaptability.

Şekerbank's CEO Aybala Şimşek Galpin commented: “This significant loan agreement we have concluded with EFSE has once again confirmed Şekerbank’s position as Turkey’s key bank in the eyes of international development finance institutions in the areas of agricultural banking and inclusive finance. During this period of geopolitical and global volatility, the funding provided to Şekerbank by the EFSE fund—in which the European Union and the development finance institutions of many countries are investors—serves as a clear indication of the importance international investors place on Turkey and their unwavering support.”
 

About EFSE
The European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) is an impact investment fund to drive economic development and prosperity in Southeast Europe and the Caucasus. Through its two sub-funds—the Regional Sub-Fund (RSF) and the Ukraine Sub-Fund (USF)—EFSE provides tailored financial solutions to foster entrepreneurship, strengthen financial inclusion, and support local economies. EFSE was initiated in 2005 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 GmbH, Germany, 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 Şekerbank
Şekerbank T.A.Ş. is one of the most well-established banks in Türkiye, distinguished by its focus on inclusive banking thanks to its high geographical coverage throughout the country. With 72% of branches located outside of Türkiye’s three main metropolises, Şekerbank operates with approximately 239 branches, a majority of which have been serving in the same location for over half a century. Established in 1953 with the aim of supporting sustainable agricultural production and industry, the Bank remains committed to its founding mission, which is promoting rural sustainable development from social, environmental and economic perspectives. Şekerbank has upheld longstanding relations with Development Finance Institutions reflecting its key role in ensuring access to finance for micro and small enterprises, farmers and women entrepreneurs in addition to supporting broad-based energy efficiency investments, particularly in rural areas.
 

Media Contact
Şekerbank:

Özlem Karabilen 
Group Head of Corporate Communication and Brand Management 
ozlem.karabilen@sekerbank.com.tr 
+90 212 319 711