BSTDB Backs Türkiye’s First Sustainability-linked Leasing Product with EUR 40 million Facility
Press Release | 05-Nov-2025
Financing to boost renewable energy, waste management, energy and raw material efficiency projects
The Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB) has signed a EUR 40 million SME Facility with AKLease, marking a milestone in Türkiye’s financial sector with the country’s first sustainability-linked leasing product.
The funds will be deployed through ECOLease, an innovative AKLease product designed to channel capital into environmentally conscious and sustainable projects. Target beneficiaries include Turkish small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) investing in renewable energy, waste management, energy efficiency, raw material efficiency, and water efficiency, contributing directly to Türkiye’s green transition and aligning with its commitments under the Paris Agreement.
Commenting on the agreement, Dr. Serhat Köksal, BSTDB President, underlined the Bank’s broader climate ambitions: “This new financing demonstrates our strong resolve to accelerate the green transition across our member countries. By joining forces once again with AKLease, we are enabling SMEs to take concrete steps toward decarbonization, innovation, and sustainable competitiveness. ECOLease will ensure that financing flows to projects that not only reduce emissions, but also strengthen resilience, create new opportunities, and support inclusive growth in Türkiye. This is precisely how BSTDB translates its Climate Change Strategy into action on the ground.”
“This agreement gives strong momentum to our sustainable growth goals”. Commenting on the matter, Eser Okyay, General Manager of AKLease, said: “This new financing agreement we have concluded with BSTDB gives strong momentum to our sustainability-oriented growth goals. Through the long-term collaborations we maintain with international financial institutions, we are paving the way for investments that reduce environmental impacts and enhance resource efficiency. Every loan provided under the ECOLease umbrella goes beyond supporting renewable-energy and energy-efficiency projects; it contributes to accelerating the transition toward a green economy in our country, transforming production processes. With every step we take on the axis of sustainability, we combine this experience with environmental transformation and play an active role in Türkiye’s transition to a green economy. This agreement is a concrete reflection of our vision to create long-term value for both the economy and the environment.”
BSTDB has been partnering with AKLease since 2017, supporting over 260 leasing transactions with EUR 50 million in previous SME loans. The new sustainability-linked facility builds on this track record and sets a precedent for scaling climate-focused finance in Türkiye’s leasing market.
AKLease, a subsidiary of Akbank, was founded in 1998 with the purpose of carrying out financial leasing activities. AKLease, with 12% market share, is one of the top leasing companies in Türkiye, in terms of asset size. Since 1990, Akbank has been listed on the Istanbul Stock Exchange. As of end-July 2025, Akbank’s largest shareholder is Sabanci Holding, one of the top leading multi-business conglomerates in Turkiye, with a 48% stake, while the remainder is free float. Detailed information at: www.aklease.com
The Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB) is an international financial institution established by Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Türkiye, and Ukraine. The BSTDB headquarters are in Thessaloniki, Greece. BSTDB supports economic development and regional cooperation by providing loans, credit lines, equity and guarantees for projects and trade financing in the public and private sectors in its member countries. The authorized capital of the Bank is EUR 3.45 billion. For information on BSTDB, visit www.bstdb.org.
Contact: Haroula Christodoulou
Find us at: LinkedIn / Facebook / Instagram / X
