responsAbility Expands Partnership with AccessBank Azerbaijan under USD 15 Million Green Finance Facility to Drive Climate Action

Zurich, Switzerland / Baku,Azerbaijan, 14 November 2025 – A climate finance-focused blended fund managed by Swiss impact asset manager responsAbility has expanded its partnership with AccessBank Azerbaijan through a USD 15 million green finance facility. This transaction marks the strategy’s second engagement with AccessBank, following the successful on-lending of the first green financing facility.

Through this collaboration, AccessBank, a leading MSME lender with more than 300,000 clients, is emerging as a pioneer in climate finance in Azerbaijan. The partnership combines dedicated long-term financing with a tailored Technical Assistance program, which has enabled AccessBank to establish the country’s first institutional green-lending framework and to build the capacity to identify and finance energy-efficient projects.

Expanding green finance in Azerbaijan

The partnership between AccessBank and responsAbility represents one of the first green finance initiatives in Azerbaijan’s banking sector. The facility supports the bank in growing its green-lending portfolio, financing energy-efficient and renewable-energy projects across the country.

The proceeds enable local enterprises and households to adopt clean technologies such as drip irrigation systems, modern greenhouses, efficient cooling and heating systems, and low-emission vehicles. These investments are expected to achieve measurable energy savings and CO₂ reductions, contributing to Azerbaijan’s Paris Agreement goals of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 35% by 2030 and 40% by 2050.¹[GA1] [MT2]

Blending capital with Technical Assistance and advisory

In addition to long-term financing, AccessBank has benefited from extensive Technical Assistance and capacity building provided by responsAbility on green lending as well as Environmental and Social risk management. The program has equipped the bank with the tools, know-how, and institutional structures to integrate climate finance into its daily operations.

Key milestones include:

• A Portfolio and Market Screening identifying green-lending potential within the existing and potential client base.

• Baseline studies on selected high-potential technologies to establish country-specific green-lending criteria, which supported Accessbank to develop its own Green Taxonomy.

• Training of the staff and enhancement/strengthening of dedicated green risk-management structures within the bank.

• Energy audits to guide respective borrowers on climate-friendly technology selections and to verify the CO2 savings.

• Enhancement of Environmental and Social risk management frameworks and practices.

Through this integrated approach, AccessBank is institutionalizing green finance practices and setting new standards for environmental and social risk management in Azerbaijan’s banking sector.

David Tsiklauri, Chairman of the Management Board of AccessBank Azerbaijan, said: “We are proud to extend our cooperation with responsAbility and contribute to the decarbonization and diversification of Azerbaijan’s economy. Expanding green lending will support both a sustainable economy and the growth of MSMEs.”

David Diaz Formidoni,Head of Financial Institutions Investments, Climate Finance at responsibility, said: “AccessBank’s leadership in green finance demonstrates how local banks can be powerful drivers of climate action. By combining capital with strong technical support, we aim to strengthen institutional capacity and lay the groundwork for the sustained growth of green lending in Azerbaijan.”

About AccessBank Azerbaijan AccessBank Azerbaijan is a commercial bank focused on serving micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) as well as retail clients across the country. Established in 2002, the bank operates a nationwide branch network and serves over 300,000 clients. AccessBank is among Azerbaijan’s leading MSME lenders and is actively developing its green finance capabilities to support the country’s transition toward a more sustainable economy.

¹ Source: World Bank (2023)