EIB Global, the international partnerships and development arm of the European Investment Bank (EIB), and Banco de Desarrollo del Ecuador (BDE) have announced a $100 million framework loan to finance priority projects in water supply, wastewater, and waste management. The announcement was made during the EU-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Summit in Colombia.
The initiative aims to modernize essential infrastructure, extend services to underserved populations, and support climate change mitigation and adaptation through more efficient water systems and improved wastewater treatment. Investments in waste management, including separative collection, will further strengthen pollution prevention and environmental control.
This operation builds on the success of BDE’s first water and sanitation framework loan, which benefited over 450,000 people across multiple municipalities. The new loan broadens support to waste management, addressing urgent needs, particularly in rural communities.
Modernizing Essential Services and Enhancing Climate Resilience
The project will enable BDE to implement programs that improve water quality, expand sanitation coverage, and enhance waste management, potentially benefiting around 1 million people, including previous beneficiaries of the first EIB-BDE loan. By addressing critical infrastructure gaps, the initiative contributes to reducing environmental pollution, promoting public health, and driving socioeconomic development in the regions served.
“Water is essential for life. Improving sanitation processes and waste management will help communities in Ecuador achieve greater well-being and protect their health,” said Nadia Calviño, President of the EIB. “This project demonstrates how the EIB, through high-impact social investments, contributes to improving living conditions for millions around the world.”
The funded programs are expected to reduce pollution of water bodies and soil, improve public health through increased access to safe water and sanitation, and generate local employment opportunities.
Carlos Rivera Bautista, CEO of BDE, added: “The first financing provided by the EIB supported 21 water and sanitation projects in 19 decentralised autonomous governments (GADs). Together with the new agreement, approximately 1 million Ecuadorians will benefit. This reinforces EIB’s confidence in BDE as a strategic partner, channeling resources into sustainable investments with social, environmental, and territorial impact. We remain committed to strengthening partnerships with international organisations and mobilising resources that drive Ecuador’s sustainable transformation.”