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EKN Magazine

Welcome to EKN Magazine. We provide inspiration and offer tips for companies and banks that work with exports or have just begun that journey out in the world.

A group of elephants

  • Sustainability
  • Bank
  • Financing

Elephants are stake­holders too

Standard Chartered and ECA partners prove how sustainability makes Tanzania’s SGR bankable at scale.

Elephants are stake­holders too
Young farmer works with a digital tablet in a wheat field

  • Financing
  • Guarantees
  • Digital

Long-term export credit backs a major 5G push in Poland

ECA-backed financing enables Polish operator Play to expand its 5G network nationwide, supporting faster connectivity and digital growth.

Long-term export credit backs a major 5G push in Poland
Ghanim Matti sits at a table together with a couple of colleagues.

  • Risk
  • Export support

EKN expertise settles unpaid debt world­wide

Expert help when overseas buyers fail to pay. EKN supports exporters with settlement strategies and debt recovery worldwide.

EKN expertise settles unpaid debt world­wide
Åke Nordlander is seated in an armchair in front of a tall plant. In the foreground, a large globe is partly visible.

  • Success stories
  • Guarantees

Building a world-class export credit system

EKN’s new Director General Åke Nordlander outlines his vision for a stronger, more sustainable export credit system.

Building a world-class export credit system
Train at a platform at a railway station.

  • Sustainability
  • Guarantees

Green guarantee backs state-of-the-art rail tech

Smart financing from EKN enabled Vossloh to expand production capacity and sharpen its competitive edge in global rail markets.

Green guarantee backs state-of-the-art rail tech
Detail of an American banknote.

  • Financing
  • Risk
  • Trade

Reinsurance agreement bolsters export finance

A bilateral reinsurance agreement promises more attractive financing for large projects with sourcing from both Sweden and the US.

Reinsurance agreement bolsters export finance
Combat Vehicle 90 in a wood

  • Financing
  • Trends

“Involving EKN adds value to our offering”

Swedish combat vehicles from BAE Systems Hägglunds are a global success. EKN boosts competitiveness with attractive financing.

“Involving EKN adds value to our offering”
A Scania truck on a road surrounded by trees.

  • Sustainability
  • Trends

Scania drives the tran­sition toge­ther with EKN

Scania drives the green transition by developing innovative, sustainable transport solutions that pave the way for a cleaner future.

Scania drives the tran­sition toge­ther with EKN
A woman standing in front of an installation that says #COP29. On the wall, behind the installation, it's written: "In solidarity for a Green World.".

  • Sustainability
  • Trends

EKN demystifies export credits at COP29

EKN clarifies the role of export credits in driving sustainable growth and climate action at COP29.

EKN demystifies export credits at COP29
Smiling female construction worker wearing a hard hat

  • Sustainability
  • Risk

Lower risk – better business

EKN helps Volvo Construction Equipment mitigate risk across the entire value chain. “Responsible sales are good for business.”

Lower risk – better business
Panel discussion during the seminar mentioned in the article.

  • Sustainability
  • Markets
  • Trends

Green gold under the mid­night sun

Northern Sweden’s green energy surplus attracts industries in green value chains, with EKN’s green guarantees enhancing deals.

Green gold under the mid­night sun
Woman in mine control room

  • Sustainability
  • Financing

Green tran­si­tion re­quir­es in­creas­ed mi­ning

The clean energy shift needs more mining, often seen as unsustainable. Automation helps, but investor support remains key, experts say.

Green tran­si­tion re­quir­es in­creas­ed mi­ning
Trains in a railway yard

  • Sustainability
  • Markets

Türkiye goes green in record time

Swedish greentech suppliers and EKN may help fund and realise one of the world’s most ambitious energy transition programmes.

Türkiye goes green in record time
Ove Nyström and Malin Tegnér Larsen from EKN receive the ECA of the year award.

  • Financing
  • Guarantees
  • Trends

EKN scores a double at GTR Awards

EKN was awarded “ECA Of The Year” and the deal behind the massive 5G rollout in India was recognized as one of the ten “Best Deals of 2024”.

EKN scores a double at GTR Awards
railway tracks

  • Sustainability
  • Trends

Railway to the future

Electric transport is about much more than cars and buses. Here’s how global rail giants transform railroading into a high-tech mode of transport – and a Swedish export success – capable of replacing fossil-fuelled airplanes and vehicles.

Railway to the future
The stage at Techarenan, from left to right: Stina Lantz, Karoly Szipka, Karin Falck, and Jonas Hernlund.

  • Trends
  • Digital
  • Tech

Large corporates take on the future with tech startups

David meets Goliath in a race for innovations where everyone’s a winner: Leading Swedish truck exporters Scania and Volvo share their advice on how to successfully embrace the startup community.

Large corporates take on the future with tech startups
Woman explaining something

  • Markets
  • Trade

Learning to love longer tenors

Are the expanded financing opportunities permitted by the updated OECD Arrangement living up to high expectations? It may take time, experts say.

Learning to love longer tenors
The panel during the NZECA event during COP28

  • Sustainability
  • Financing
  • Trade

Trade takes centre stage at COP28

A new alliance at COP28 puts export finance at the heart of the race to net zero and sustainable global trade.

Trade takes centre stage at COP28
Panel talk on a stage

  • Sustainability
  • Trends

Metals demand seen rising by 500%

Demand for critical minerals is set to surge. Can supply, finance and sustainability keep pace with the energy transition?

Metals demand seen rising by 500%
Woman and man talking in an office.

  • Financing
  • Trade

OECD updates country risk assess­ment model

How do you measure country risk in a changing world? The OECD updates its model to reflect governance, climate and new risks.

OECD updates country risk assess­ment model
Carl Mellander, portrait

  • Financing
  • Guarantees

The secrets be­hind 5G leader­ship

Carl Mellander, CFO at the world’s biggest 5G technology provider Ericsson says export financing is a crucial counter-cyclical tool.

The secrets be­hind 5G leader­ship
Man in India with hos mobile phone

  • Financing
  • Trends
  • Trade

Record deal be­hind record-time 5G roll­out in India

A $2.1bn export finance deal is powering India’s record-fast 5G rollout and accelerating nationwide digital inclusion.

Record deal be­hind record-time 5G roll­out in India
Cables and a vessel

  • Sustainability
  • Guarantees

Swedish cables connect a greener future

The energy transition has triggered a boom in demand for power cables that can transport the green energy harvested by solar and wind farms over long distances. The drive to renew and connect national grids further fuel demand at cable maker NKT, with major export production in Sweden and guarantees from EKN.

Swedish cables connect a greener future
Håkan Jyde in front of a Scania truck

  • Financing
  • Markets

Keeping Ukraine on the move

Despite war and disruption, Scania stays in Ukraine, keeping vital logistics and supply chains running.

Keeping Ukraine on the move
Woman presenting in front of an audience

  • Sustainability
  • Guarantees

New guaran­tees to boost green lending

New green guarantees from Sweden aim to unlock finance and accelerate investments in the global climate transition.

New guaran­tees to boost green lending
Wind mills on mountains

  • Sustainability
  • Guarantees

Up to 100% risk cover with new green guarantee

A new EKN guarantee offers up to 100% risk cover to accelerate green exports and climate-aligned investments.

Up to 100% risk cover with new green guarantee
Fighterplane in the air

  • Financing
  • Guarantees
  • Trends

In defence of defence

As defence spending rises across Europe, export finance plays a growing role in funding long-term security investments.

In defence of defence
City in nightlights and fog

  • Economics
  • Financing
  • Markets

All eyes on African debt

Rising debt, a stronger dollar and higher rates are pushing several African economies closer to restructuring.

All eyes on African debt
A stage at COP27

  • Sustainability
  • Financing

COP27: “Funding and skills gaps need closing”

At COP27, funding and skills gaps took centre stage as export finance emerged as a key tool for climate investment.

COP27: “Funding and skills gaps need closing”
Copper

  • Financing
  • Guarantees
  • Risk

Sweden secures supply of strategic raw materials

A new Swedish guarantee helps secure critical raw materials and strengthen supply chains for the energy transition.

Sweden secures supply of strategic raw materials
African woman holding her hands under tap with running water

  • Sustainability
  • Financing

Drinking water for 3 million people

A major infrastructure project will bring clean drinking water to 3 million people in Côte d’Ivoire, transforming daily life.

Drinking water for 3 million people
A collage with a port at night and a portrait of Cécile Camilli

  • Financing
  • Risk

Uncertainty creates oppor­tunity

Market uncertainty is boosting the role of export finance in funding large-scale, high-risk and climate-focused projects.

Uncertainty creates oppor­tunity
Water in Africa at night

  • Sustainability
  • Financing

“Water is life”

A major project in Ghana will deliver clean drinking water to 400,000 people, transforming lives and supporting development.

“Water is life”
the East Indiaman Götheborg of Sweden

  • Markets
  • Trade

Tailwind for Swed­ish ex­ports

A historic sailing ship sets out to promote Swedish exports, connecting companies with global markets and new opportunities.

Tailwind for Swed­ish ex­ports
Illustration

  • Sustainability
  • Economics
  • Financing

Green bonds hit the USD 1 trillion mark

Green bonds pass $1 trillion as investors drive demand for sustainable finance and climate-focused investments.

Green bonds hit the USD 1 trillion mark
Christina Friborg, SSAB, and Tora Leifland, Volvo CE. Photo: Samuel Unéus

  • Sustainability
  • Financing

Towards net zero with fossil-free steel

Fossil-free steel could transform heavy industry, cutting emissions and accelerating the path to net zero.

Towards net zero with fossil-free steel
Sign from COP

  • Sustainability
  • Financing
  • Trade

COP26: “The fi­nan­cial sec­tor has a key role to play”

Marie Aglert, Head of Business Area Large Corporates at EKN, attended the UN Climate Change Conference COP26 in Glasgow. The important role of the financial sector in the climate transition and the need for a modernisation of the OECD framework were among her takeaways.

COP26: “The fi­nan­cial sec­tor has a key role to play”
Stena vessel

  • Sustainability
  • Financing

Smooth ferry leasing secured

A new export finance solution enables ferry leasing while reducing risk and supporting more sustainable maritime transport.

Smooth ferry leasing secured
Building of railway

  • Sustainability
  • Financing

Fast track to growth in Ghana

In Ghana, EKN-backed financing enables the biggest railway investment since independence. The project will boost exports, create new jobs and add to sustainability by shifting cargo from road to rail.

Fast track to growth in Ghana
Headphones

  • Sustainability
  • Tech

Solar cells from Swe­den’s Exeger – soon in a headset near you

Imagine photovoltaic cells that can be charged through indoor lighting, bent any which way, and look like leather, fabric or even brushed steel? And that can be integrated into headsets, remote controls and even your cellphone?

Solar cells from Swe­den’s Exeger – soon in a headset near you
Inside a mine

  • Financing
  • Guarantees

“Working with EKN was the big unlock”

Mining one of the world’s largest copper discoveries in an environment like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, requires a thorough environmental and social due diligence and a comprehensive project sustainability agenda.

“Working with EKN was the big unlock”
Skyscrapers

  • Sustainability
  • Guarantees

ECA’s get the green light to cover more local costs

The OECD raises the limit on how much local content in a project that may be covered by export credit agencies. The change reflects the reality of today’s complex global value chains and the multinational sourcing in large infrastructure projects, in particular.

ECA’s get the green light to cover more local costs
Construction work in progress

  • Financing
  • Markets

Massive in­fra­struc­ture in­vest­ments

Local manufacturing and attractive dealership financing from EKN have stimulated growth in China for Volvo Construction Equipment. “The ability to offer credit is important in building a brand.”

Massive in­fra­struc­ture in­vest­ments
Part of a vessel under water

  • Sustainability
  • Guarantees

No more free cruises for in­va­sive species

The mandatory ballast water treatment systems required under new maritime regulation is a major investment to smaller and midsize shipping companies. Supplier credit guarantees from EKN help spread the cost and boost exports of Alfa Laval’s market-leading solutions.

No more free cruises for in­va­sive species
Road work with Volvo equipment

  • Sustainability
  • Bank
  • Financing

Paving the way for progress

Cocoa, gold and oil, coupled with political stability, has placed Ghana in the top tier of African economies, but the quality of the infrastructure hasn’t quite kept up. That’s about to change.

Paving the way for progress
Solar panels

  • Sustainability

Largest ever sub-Saharan solar project

Attractive financing helps Angola harness the power of the sun in a 370MW solar project with substantial Swedish deliveries by Hitachi ABB Powergrids to electrify rural areas and help combat climate change.

Largest ever sub-Saharan solar project
Solar panels and wind mills

  • Sustainability
  • Bank
  • Financing

Why su­stain­a­bi­li­ty means good business

EKN implements new guidelines to further emphasize its commitment to sustainability and positive climate impact, while phasing out its support of fossil-based ventures.

Why su­stain­a­bi­li­ty means good business
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