Finnfund has signed a US$15 million senior loan agreement with EVF General Finance JSC (EVF), a Vietnamese non-bank financial institution (NBFI) focused on providing financing to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The financing will strengthen EVF’s long-term funding base and support its continued development as one of Vietnam’s leading NBFIs. EVF provides financing solutions to SMEs and corporate clients across the country, with a growing focus on green lending and financial inclusion.
By expanding access to finance for underserved businesses, EVF aims to contribute to more inclusive economic growth and sustainable economic development in Vietnam.
Supporting Women-Led Businesses
A key focus of the partnership is improving access to finance for women-led businesses and underserved SMEs.
Antti Partanen, Investment Manager at Finnfund, said the organisation was pleased to support EVF in expanding financing opportunities for SMEs, particularly businesses led by women.
“At Finnfund, advancing gender equality is a key priority, and we are pleased that EVF qualifies as a 2X-compliant gender lens investment,” he said.
The 2X framework is used to identify investments that contribute to women’s economic empowerment. Through the financing, Finnfund aims to support both financial inclusion and inclusive economic growth in Vietnam.
Strengthening ESG and International Funding
Beyond providing additional capital, the agreement reflects EVF’s progress in strengthening its environmental and social management practices and expanding collaboration with international financial institutions.
Dinh Ngoc Bao, Director of International Markets at EVF, said the partnership would help the company diversify and strengthen its long-term international funding base while embedding international ESG and gender-lens standards into its operations.
He added that these efforts would enhance EVF’s ability to serve women-led and underserved SMEs across Vietnam.
The partnership also supports EVF’s ambition to develop as a development-oriented financial institution capable of attracting international capital while delivering sustainable economic impact.
Growing Green Lending Portfolio
The financing comes as EVF expands its green lending portfolio and supports businesses investing in renewable energy and energy-efficiency solutions.
Vietnam has set climate targets that require significant investment to support its transition towards a low-carbon economy. According to Finnfund, EVF is positioned to channel more financing towards businesses investing in sustainable technologies and energy solutions.
“We believe the company can play an important role in channelling more financing towards sustainable growth in Vietnam,” Partanen said.
EVF said it plans to continue growing its green lending portfolio while supporting Vietnam’s transition towards a low-carbon and sustainable economy.
Financing Sustainable Economic Growth
The partnership brings together Finnfund’s development financing and impact investment expertise with EVF’s reach among Vietnamese SMEs and corporate clients.
For EVF, the US$15 million senior loan provides a stronger long-term funding base while supporting its expansion of SME financing, green lending and gender-focused financial services.
For Malaysian and regional businesses following developments in sustainable finance, the agreement also highlights the growing role of financial institutions in directing capital towards SMEs, women-led businesses and the green transition.
Finnfund is a Finnish development financier and impact investor that invests in businesses addressing global development challenges, with a focus that includes clean energy, digital infrastructure, agriculture and financing for SMEs through financial institutions.
