The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) expects to invest €1.5 billion ($1.54 billion) in Ukraine in 2025, as Russia’s ongoing invasion continues to devastate the country.
According to Bloomberg, citing EBRD Managing Director for Ukraine and Moldova Arvid Tuerkner, last year the London-based bank invested a record €2.4 billion in Ukraine after increasing its capital by €4 billion. EBRD focused its energy financing on decentralized small generating capacities to help ensure uninterrupted power supply to people and businesses.
Tuerkner stated that the EBRD’s focus on infrastructure and energy security will continue in 2025, followed by support for the private sector and food security resilience.
While the EBRD provided loans to Ukrainian state-owned companies, including railways, over 50% of its investments last year went to private businesses. The funding share is expected to remain similar in 2025.
According to Tuerkner, Ukraine needs progress in combating corruption and implementing judicial reforms to improve the investment climate, as there is "hope" that reconstruction can begin this year after a ceasefire or peace agreement.
He also urged the Ukrainian government to advance corporate governance reform, as state-owned companies will be involved in reconstruction.