responsAbility Provides USD 20 Million Financing Facility to Unibank Azerbaijan
Zurich / Baku, 17 June 2026 – responsAbility Investments AG has disbursed USD 20 million to Unibank Azerbaijan to support the bank’s expansion of financing for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and the development of green-lending activities in Azerbaijan.
The financing consists of two USD 10 million facilities. One facility is aimed at supporting Unibank’s financing of MSMEs by strengthening access to finance for smaller businesses and households across Azerbaijan. The second facility is designed to support the launch and scaling of the bank’s green-lending portfolio.
Unibank Azerbaijan is a privately owned, systemically important commercial bank with a strong retail, microfinance, and SME franchise. Established in 1992, the bank has evolved into a universal commercial bank with a broad customer base, diversified regional presence, and a growing digital banking platform. Under its current executive management team and supervisory board, the bank is strategically expanding its role in sustainable finance.
Supporting MSMEs and green lending in Azerbaijan
The partnership is expected to support Unibank in building a dedicated green portfolio, strengthening internal green-lending capabilities, and integrating green finance more systematically into its lending operations.
Financing proceeds dedicated to green lending will support eligible sub-loans in areas including energy and resource efficiency, green transport, agriculture, production and light manufacturing. These investments are expected to contribute to measurable energy savings and CO₂ emission reductions while helping Unibank strengthen its operational approach to sustainable finance.
Supporting the development of Azerbaijan’s climate-finance market
Azerbaijan’s economy remains highly dependent on hydrocarbons, while relatively low electricity tariffs can reduce the short-term attractiveness of certain renewable-energy investments. In this context, financing for energy efficiency, resource efficiency, and equipment replacement represents a practical and commercially relevant entry point for green lending.
Through the combination of financing and technical support, the partnership aims to help create long-term environmental and economic value while strengthening the foundations for a more structured climate-finance market in Azerbaijan.
The transaction reflects responsAbility’s commitment, through its Climate Finance strategy, to supporting local financial institutions as catalysts for climate action while fostering resilient and inclusive financial ecosystems in emerging markets.
Heybat Gadirov, Acting Chairman of the Management Board of Unibank CB OJSC, said: "The funds raised through our cooperation with responsAbility will make a significant contribution to Unibank’s sustainable development strategy. This partnership reflects the high level of trust international financial institutions place in our bank. In particular, the resources obtained through our cooperation with the Climate Finance strategy will enable us to expand green finance initiatives and support environmentally sustainable projects. We aim to further strengthen our activities in this direction, contributing both to the development of entrepreneurship and to sustainable economic growth."
About Unibank Azerbaijan
Unibank Azerbaijan is a privately owned commercial bank and one of the country’s systemically important financial institutions. Established in 1992, the bank serves retail, microfinance, and SME clients through a diversified branch network and expanding digital banking platform. Unibank is increasingly focused on strengthening its role in sustainable finance and developing structured green-lending capabilities in Azerbaijan.
About responsAbility Investments AG responsAbility is a leading Swiss impact asset manager with deep expertise in private market investing across emerging markets. The company provides debt and equity financing to financial institutions, enterprises and mid-market funds, designed to generate measurable positive outcomes for people and planet alongside competitive financial returns. Impact and ESG are embedded throughout the investment process and supported by active engagement. As of 31 March 2026, responsAbility manages USD 5.9 billion in assets invested in around 70 countries and works with institutional, private and public sector investors to invest capital at scale.
Founded in 2003, responsAbility has deployed more than USD 17.8 billion in impact investments. Since 2022, responsAbility has been part of M&G Investments, a business of M&G plc, a global savings and investments group with asset management and insurance capabilities and a long-term institutional ownership base.
Contact
Richard Rogers
responsAbility Investments AG
+41 44 403 2151
media@responsability.com
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