OPEC Fund provides €10 million loan to Mikrofin to support micro and small businesses in Bosnia and Herzegovina

June 29, 2026: The OPEC Fund for International Development (the OPEC Fund) is providing a €10 million loan to Mikrokreditno Društvo “Mikrofin” d.o.o. Banja Luka to expand access to finance for micro and small enterprises in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including women-owned businesses. The financing is part of a syndication led by the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

Khalid Khadduri, OPEC Fund Vice President, Private Sector, said: “Micro and small enterprises are important drivers of inclusive growth, employment and innovation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Our partnership with Mikrofin will help expand access to finance for underserved entrepreneurs, with particular support for women-owned businesses, and strengthen their contribution to the country’s economic development.”

Milena Haneš, Director of Mikrofin, added: “This is Mikrofin’s first loan agreement with the OPEC Fund and we are pleased to become its partner in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We share the goals of supporting entrepreneurs and strengthening their contribution to the economy. This loan will allow us to extend new financing to some of the most innovative and productive enterprises in our country.”

Mikrofin is the leading microfinance institution in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Micro and small enterprises account for 99 percent of all businesses, 47 percent of employment and 44 percent of value added in the country, yet continue to face barriers to finance, holding back their capacity to grow and create jobs. Women-owned enterprises encounter additional constraints in securing funding, including limited asset ownership, gender bias and exclusion from formal networks.

About Mikrofin

Mikrofin is the largest microfinance institution in Bosnia and Herzegovina with 109 branches throughout the country and with more than 400 employees. Mikrofin provides financing to micro and small entrepreneurs in all sectors of economy since 1997. Cooperation with OPEC Fund will increase options for Mikrofin for future growth and development.

About the OPEC Fund

The OPEC Fund for International Development (the OPEC Fund) is the only globally mandated development institution that provides financing from member countries to non-member countries exclusively. The organization works in cooperation with developing country partners and the international development community to stimulate economic growth and social progress in low- and middle-income countries around the world. The OPEC Fund was established in 1976 with a distinct purpose: to drive development, strengthen communities and empower people. Our work is people-centered, focusing on financing projects that meet essential needs, such as food, energy, infrastructure, employment (particularly relating to MSMEs), clean water and sanitation, healthcare and education. To date, the OPEC Fund has committed more than US$32 billion to development projects in over 125 countries. These projects represent a total value exceeding US$240 billion, equivalent to approximately US$7.50 mobilized for every US$1 committed by the OPEC Fund. The OPEC Fund is rated AA+/Outlook Stable by Fitch and AA+, Outlook Stable by S&P. Our vision is a world where sustainable development is a reality for all.