GCPF Provides USD 10 Million Facility to Unibank Azerbaijan to Support Green Lending

Luxembourg / Baku, 17 June 2026 – The Global Climate Partnership Fund (GCPF) has disbursed USD 10 million to Unibank Azerbaijan to support the launch and scaling of the bank’s green-lending activities in Azerbaijan.

The financing forms part of a broader USD 20 million financing package provided alongside funds managed by responsAbility Investments AG. GCPF’s USD 10 million facility is specifically dedicated to supporting eligible green sub-loans and strengthening Unibank’s capacity to integrate green finance into its lending operations.

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 the development of 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.

Proceeds from the GCPF facility will finance 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 supporting the bank’s transition toward a more structured and operational green-lending model.

The transaction makes Unibank GCPF’s second partner institution in Azerbaijan and further strengthens GCPF’s presence in the country’s emerging climate-finance market.

Supporting 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 long-term financing and technical support, the partnership aims to help create long-term environmental and economic value while supporting the further institutionalization of green lending within Azerbaijan’s banking sector.

Heybat Gadirov, Acting Chairman of the Management Board of Unibank CB OJSC, said: “The financing provided through our partnership with GCPF represents an important step in advancing Unibank’s sustainable development strategy. The facility will support the expansion of our green-finance activities and environmentally sustainable projects while helping us strengthen our long-term capabilities in green lending and sustainable finance.”

The transaction reflects GCPF’s commitment to supporting financial institutions in developing climate-finance solutions that contribute to lower emissions, improved resource efficiency, and more resilient local economies in emerging markets.

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 GCPF

GCPF is a Luxembourg-based fund managed by the Swiss asset manager responsAbility Investments AG. The Fund is a public-private partnership with the primary objective of mitigating climate change through a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in developing markets. Every mitigation project that GPCF finances needs to reduce energy use or GHG emissions by at least 20%. In addition to mitigation, GCPF recently expanded into adaptation finance, and aims to support financial institutions in developing markets to become more resilient to climate risks and to finance adaptation projects in key sectors.

GCPF was established by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU), KfW Entwicklungsbank and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in 2009. Junior catalytic capital is provided by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWK), the UK’s Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ), and Denmark’s development cooperation (Danida). Other private and public investors include ASN Bank, Ärzteversorgung Westfalen-Lippe, FMO, OeEB, and EIB.

GCPF is classified as an Article 9 Fund under the European Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR).

About responsAbility Investments AG

responsAbility Investments AG is a globally leading Swiss impact asset manager specializing in private market investments across three investment themes. These themes directly contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Financial Inclusion, to finance the growth of Micro & SMEs; Climate Finance, to contribute to a net zero pathway; and Sustainable Food, to sustainably feed an ever-growing population. responsAbility also offers tailor-made and fund investment solutions to institutional investors. All responsAbility investment solutions target specific measurable impact alongside market returns.

Since its inception in 2003, responsAbility has deployed over USD 17.6 billion in impact investments. With over 280 employees collaborating across 6 offices, as of 31 December 2025 the company manages USD 5.8 billion in assets across approximately 330 portfolio companies in around 70 countries. Since 2022, responsAbility has been part of M&G plc, the international savings and investments business, and contributes to enhancing M&G’s capabilities in impact investing.