The Dominican Republic and the EIB

Our work in the Dominican Republic has been instrumental in driving economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development in the country. The Dominican Republic has been a key partner since the early stages of the EIB’s microfinance initiatives, being the recipient of our very first microfinance loan. Through its continued support, the EIB has contributed to the country's resilience, improved living standards and enhanced financial inclusion.

In the Dominican Republic, we have focused on:

Private sector development

The EIB has worked closely with local banks and microfinance institutions to foster the development of the microfinance sector in the Dominican Republic. This support to the micro and small business segment (MSMEs) has not only stimulated economic growth and job creation, but also promoted financial inclusion, particularly for under-represented communities and women. In particular, it has bolstered the inclusion of women entrepreneurs and businesses employing women, contributing to improved gender equality and fostering their financial and social independence in the Dominican Republic.

Climate action and energy

To aid the Dominican Republic's recovery from natural disasters, we have provided financing for the construction of climate resilient infrastructure, including housing units for people living in vulnerable situations, roads, bridges, and hydraulic infrastructure. We have also supported projects to improve electricity distribution systems and power supply availability in economically disadvantaged neighbourhoods, thus enhancing energy access and sustainability across the country.

Urban Development

We have supported the reconstruction of damaged roads in the Dominican Republic, ensuring that the infrastructure is built to withstand future climate-related challenges. By investing in resilient transport infrastructure, we have contributed to the Dominican Republic’s efforts to enhance connectivity, facilitate trade and improve the overall quality of transportation networks.

At a glance

The EIB provides finance and expertise for sound and sustainable investment projects in the Dominican Republic.

EIB activity in the Dominican Republic by sector

(since start of operations)

EIB stories in the Dominican Republic

Individual stories speak far louder than figures and charts. Discover how our work improves quality of life in the Dominican Republic and beyond.

28 September 2023

Dominican Entrepreneurs: Julie’s story

Meet Julie Belliard, a passionate architect and small business owner in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic. She crafts personalised gift boxes filled with handmade products that she sells online.

Amidst the challenges posed by the pandemic, Julie recognised the immense value of her e-commerce expertise, especially for local artisans facing difficulties in selling their handicrafts. Driven by her commitment to empower artisans and creators, Julie launched Yo Soy Local, a digital marketplace that helps them sell their products effortlessly online.

Julie's inspiring vision received a crucial boost when she participated in MicroPitch, a dynamic pitching forum where aspiring entrepreneurs pitch their business plans to potential sponsors, including local microfinance institutions. Her exceptional idea earned her the prestigious award of 'Best Entrepreneur,' a pivotal moment that laid the foundation for her remarkable venture.

MicroPitch is the fruit of the Caribbean Technical Assistance program, financed by the European Investment Bank and executed by the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management. This initiative attracted applications from 600 entrepreneurs across 15 Caribbean countries, ultimately selecting 72 visionaries to present their ideas to a network of 25 prospective sponsors.

Discover how the EIB improves lives around the world.

Dominican Republic Africa, Caribbean, Pacific countries + OCT Development Microfinance
20 September 2023

Dominican entrepreneurs: Héctor's Story

Héctor Valdez, a dedicated farmer in Dajabon, Dominican Republic, raises cattle for milk and meat production. For years, he struggled with recurring droughts that would stretch on for six to seven challenging months. To combat this pressing issue, Hector previously relied on water pumps that draw water from a nearby lake into a reservoir that helped irrigate his farm. However, this solution came at a high cost and was far from environmentally friendly, as it depended on gasoline to operate.

In 2021, Héctor discovered a more sustainable solution. Thanks to financing secured through the Banfondesa Renovable green credit line, supported by the European Investment Bank, he installed a solar-powered water pump. Now, as soon as the sun rises, the pump is powered and supplies his farm with water. This transformative solution not only eases Hector's daily life but has also significantly increased his agricultural yields. Banfondesa Renovable is the result of an EIB Technical Assistance programme.

Discover how the EIB improves lives around the world.

Dominican Republic Africa, Caribbean, Pacific countries + OCT Development Microfinance Climate action and environment Energy
28 June 2022

Supporting water management in the Caribbean

The European Union and the European Investment Bank are partnering to use resources from the Caribbean Investment Facility to support critical water and clean oceans projects in the region. Read more

Oceans Environment Partnerships Caribbean Investment Facility Mandates and partnerships Dominican Republic Africa, Caribbean, Pacific countries + OCT Development Climate action and environment Water, wastewater management
19 April 2022 Dawid A. Fusiek

A drive to develop

In developing countries transport drives economic growth and social inclusion. Here’s how transport projects help people live better lives around the world—and fight the emissions that fuel climate change

Infrastructure Uzbekistan Turkmenistan Kyrgyzstan Zambia Vietnam Solomon Islands Vanuatu Brazil Papua New Guinea Maldives South Sandwich Islands Costa Rica St. Maarten Dominican Republic Wallis and Futuna Islands Trinidad and Tobago Tonga Nigeria Paraguay Yemen Cayman Islands Madagascar Gabon Suriname Ethiopia Malawi Turks and Caicos Islands Saint Kitts and Nevis Samoa Aruba Benin Panama New Caledonia Guinea-Bissau Côte d'Ivoire Tajikistan Somalia Antigua and Barbuda Mongolia Pakistan São Tomé e Principe Bahamas Congo Palau Lao People's Democratic Rep. Peru Botswana Liberia Senegal Malaysia India Sri Lanka Cape Verde Regional - Pacific Burundi Cambodia Burkina Faso Comoros China Ghana Seychelles Eritrea Korea, Republic of Timor-Leste Macau Guatemala Niger British Indian Ocean Territory Nicaragua Mozambique Angola Chile Togo Cameroon Barbados Sudan Dominica Brunei Darussalam Uruguay Bangladesh Saint Lucia St. Helena Pitcairn Guinea El Salvador Jamaica The Gambia Virgin Islands (British) The Territorial Collectivity of Mayotte Venezuela Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba Honduras Fiji Curaçao Cook Islands Equatorial Guinea Anguilla Mauritania Saint Vincent and Grenadines Mauritius St. Pierre and Miquelon Sierra Leone Kiribati Haiti Mexico Indonesia Nepal Zimbabwe Micronesia Kazakhstan Montserrat Singapore Djibouti Bolivia Falkland Islands Chad Kenya Lesotho Grenada Tuvalu Congo (Democratic Republic) Thailand Mali Uganda Philippines Netherlands Antilles Tanzania Rwanda French Polynesia Kingdom of Eswatini Colombia Guyana Namibia Belize Africa, Caribbean, Pacific countries + OCT Asia and Latin America Transport Development Climate action and environment
12 April 2022 Dawid A. Fusiek

Heads above water

In developing countries, water sanitation is vital for health and economic growth. Here’s how water management and sanitation projects in communities around the globe improve the quality of life and protect against the impact of climate change

Infrastructure Water Wastewater Water treatment Uzbekistan Turkmenistan Kyrgyzstan Zambia Vietnam Solomon Islands Vanuatu Papua New Guinea Maldives South Sandwich Islands Costa Rica St. Maarten Dominican Republic Wallis and Futuna Islands Trinidad and Tobago Tonga Nigeria Paraguay Yemen Cayman Islands Madagascar Gabon Suriname Ethiopia Malawi Turks and Caicos Islands Saint Kitts and Nevis Samoa Aruba Benin Panama New Caledonia Guinea-Bissau Côte d'Ivoire Tajikistan Somalia Antigua and Barbuda Mongolia Pakistan São Tomé e Principe Bahamas Congo Palau Lao People's Democratic Rep. Peru Botswana Liberia Senegal Malaysia India Sri Lanka Cape Verde Regional - Pacific Burundi Cambodia Burkina Faso Comoros China Ghana Seychelles Eritrea Korea, Republic of Timor-Leste Macau Guatemala Niger British Indian Ocean Territory Nicaragua Mozambique Angola Chile Togo Cameroon Barbados Sudan Dominica Brunei Darussalam Uruguay Bangladesh Saint Lucia St. Helena Pitcairn Guinea El Salvador Jamaica The Gambia Virgin Islands (British) The Territorial Collectivity of Mayotte Venezuela Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba Honduras Fiji Curaçao Cook Islands Equatorial Guinea Anguilla Mauritania Saint Vincent and Grenadines Mauritius St. Pierre and Miquelon Sierra Leone Kiribati Haiti Mexico Indonesia Nepal Zimbabwe Micronesia Kazakhstan Montserrat Singapore Djibouti Bolivia Falkland Islands Chad Kenya Lesotho Grenada Tuvalu Congo (Democratic Republic) Thailand Mali Uganda Philippines Netherlands Antilles Tanzania Rwanda French Polynesia Kingdom of Eswatini Colombia Guyana Namibia Belize Africa, Caribbean, Pacific countries + OCT Asia and Latin America Development Climate action and environment Water, wastewater management Health and life sciences
17 December 2020

Dominican Republic: EIB and Banco Ademi provide EUR 10m to micro-borrowers

The European Investment Bank provided a EUR 10 million loan to Banco Ademi to increase its lending to microenterprises in the Dominican Republic,with a focus on female entrepreneurs. The loan will support micro and small business facing the impact of the COVID-19 crisis.

Dominican Republic Africa, Caribbean, Pacific countries + OCT
6 July 2020 Brian Power

Taking climate risk out of the home equation

Dominican Republic will use climate resilient housing to get residents to move to safer areas

Infrastructure Climate Social housing Dominican Republic Africa, Caribbean, Pacific countries + OCT Urban development Development Climate action and environment
9 June 2020 Chris Knight

Get used to it

Even if we invest in innovative climate action, the impact of global warming will still be severe. Developing countries climate adaptation projects are crucial to help people and places adapt to climate change impacts

Dominican Republic Lao People's Democratic Rep. Haiti Lesotho Africa, Caribbean, Pacific countries + OCT Asia and Latin America Climate Climate action and environment
6 November 2019 Matt Rees

Action for impact

Key investments around the world help create stability, sustainable growth and fight climate change everywhere. The numbers show high EIB impact through its projects outside the EU

Dominican Republic Ethiopia Peru Lebanon Egypt Mexico Africa, Caribbean, Pacific countries + OCT Mediterranean countries Asia and Latin America Climate Development Climate action and environment
22 October 2019

Climate solutions: When climate action means better roads

In development, climate solutions build the tools that help countries adapt to climate change, including extreme weather events that can damage existing infrastructure

Infrastructure Mobility Dominican Republic Haiti Africa, Caribbean, Pacific countries + OCT Climate Infrastructure Transport Development Climate action and environment

Get EIB support in the Dominican Republic

We can provide you with various types of financing to implement projects that promote growth and jobs in your country. We support small businesses, while enhancing climate action and innovation. We also focus on energy transition and urban sustainability. Get an overview here of the full EIB Group product range*

* These products refer to EIB activity worldwide and may not apply to EIB operations in this region.

Get a loan for €25m or more to finance your project

Get various types of advisory and technical assistance