EKN

What EKN does

EKN (Exportkreditnämnden) is Sweden's official state-backed export credit agency, established as a government authority under the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and headquartered in Stockholm. The agency provides guarantees and insurance to Swedish exporters, their subcontractors, and banks against non-payment risk in international trade, covering both political and commercial risk. EKN serves a horizontal customer base spanning SME and mid-market exporters, large corporates (over 5 billion SEK turnover), Swedish and foreign banks, and foreign buyers of Swedish goods and services, with a regional representative network present in every Swedish county.

The product portfolio comprises 18 distinct guarantee products organized into three main categories — guarantees for exporters, guarantees for banks, and guarantees for investors — including working capital credit guarantees, buyer credit guarantees, counter guarantees, letter of credit guarantees, green export credit guarantees (up to 100% coverage), and the ExDev instrument blending export finance with development aid. Exportsprånget extends working capital cover to early-stage growth companies. Underlying technology consists of the EKN Online digital platform for application submission and guarantee management, the EKN eID identity layer supporting BankID/Freja eID+/Foreign eID signatures, the Garantiguiden interactive product-selection guide, and a Premium Calculator that returns indicative pricing based on country and credit risk. Country risk analyses are produced in-house and published on ekn.se.

EKN's business model is built on risk-based, individually-priced guarantee premiums assessed for each transaction, supplemented by Swedish government appropriations; the agency does not generate conventional commercial revenue and instead reports guarantee commitments offered (390 billion SEK in 2025, a record). Distribution combines direct field sales (regional offices plus dedicated large-corporate customer teams), bank-advisor referral (SEB, Swedbank, Almi), self-service via EKN Online, and foreign-buyer outreach. EKN is a member of the Berne Union and operates bilateral reinsurance and cooperation agreements with ECAs in Korea (K-Sure), Denmark (EIFO), Finland (Finnvera), and Uzbekistan (Uzbekinvest).

Name

EKN

Legal name

Exportkreditnämnden

Website

https://ekn.se

Company type

Private

Founded year

1933

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

EKN (Exportkreditnämnden) is Sweden's state-backed export credit agency, providing guarantees that cover payment and political risk for Swedish exporters, their banks, subcontractors, and foreign buyers across 18 guarantee products distributed through regional offices and EKN Online.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Export Credit Insurance

akta.pro primary industry

Export Credit Agencies (ECAs) & Trade Finance Institutions (BPADACAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Export Promotion & Market Access Support (BPADAMAC), Trade Finance, Export Credit & Risk Mitigation (BPADAMAG), Export Credit Agencies (ECAs) & Official Export Finance (FSABAKAC)

Keywords

• Export credit guarantees
• Trade credit insurance
• Working capital guarantees
• Country risk analysis
• Export financing

Headquarters

HQ city

Stockholm

HQ country

Sweden

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Guarantee Premiums: EKN earns premiums from guarantees issued to exporters and banks. Premiums are assessed based on political and commercial risks in each transaction. EKN's guarantees cover payment risk for exporters and banks extending credit to buyers of Swedish goods and services, reducing financial risk and facilitating financing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

EKN (Exportkreditnämnden) is Sweden's official export credit agency providing government-backed guarantees that cover payment risk in international trade. The agency issues export credit guarantees to Swedish exporters and their banks covering political and commercial non-payment risk, working capital guarantees for export financing, buyer credit guarantees, counter guarantees, and green export credit guarantees. Operations are supported by the EKN Online digital platform and country risk assessments.

Product overview

EKN (Exportkreditnämnden) is Sweden's export credit agency providing a comprehensive portfolio of export credit guarantees and financial services. The offering consists of 18 distinct guarantee products organized into three main categories: guarantees for exporting companies (Garanti för fordringsförlust, Garanti för kundfordringar, Garanti för tillverknings- och fordringsförlust, Säkerhetsgaranti, Grön exportkreditgaranti), guarantees for banks (Motgaranti, Rörelsekreditgaranti, Rörelse- och investeringskreditgaranti, Grön kreditgaranti för banker, Kombinerad garanti, Köparkreditgaranti, Rembursgaranti, Garanti för investeringskrediter, Växelgaranti, Råvarugaranti), and guarantees for investors (Investeringsgarantin). Additionally, Exportsprånget provides working capital guarantees for early-stage growth companies, while ExDev combines export financing with development aid. The product portfolio is supported by digital platforms including EKN Online for online guarantee management, EKN eID for secure electronic signatures, Garantiguiden for product selection assistance, and Exportmagasinet for educational content. Country risk analyses complement the guarantee products to support Swedish exporters' international decision-making.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Exportsprånget: Working capital credit guarantee for early-stage growth companies with export connection
• EU-taxonomin

Products and services

• Exportsprånget (The Export Leap) Working capital credit guarantee for early-stage growth companies with direct or indirect export connection. EKN covers up to 75% of the lender's (bank's) risk, available for amounts up to 20 million SEK.
• Garanti för fordringsförlust för exportör (Guarantee for Loss on Claim for Exporter) Guarantee covering the risk that the buyer's foreign party does not pay the claim according to the contract. Used for credit periods exceeding 12 months.
• Garanti för kundfordringar (Guarantee for Trade Receivables) Guarantee covering the risk that the foreign buyer does not pay the receivable according to the contract. Used for credit periods up to 12 months.
• Garanti för tillverknings- och fordringsförlust (Guarantee for Loss on Production and Loss on Claim) Guarantee available with exporter as guarantee holder or with exporter and bank as combined guarantee holders. Covers production and receivable loss risks.
• Säkerhetsgaranti (Guarantee for Unfair Calling) Guarantee for exporters needing to issue a contract guarantee. Covers unfair calling situations.
• Grön exportkreditgaranti (Green Export Credit Guarantee) Guarantee for exports contributing to climate transition. Enables exporters and banks to insure up to 100% of a transaction's value against non-payment risk.
• Motgaranti (Counter Guarantee) Guarantee for banks and other issuers of contract guarantees to share risk with EKN. Covers the issuer's recourse risk on the seller if the beneficiary (typically the buyer) demands payment.
• Rörelsekreditgaranti (Working Capital Credit Guarantee) Guarantee where bank or Almi shares risk with EKN when providing working capital credits up to 300 million SEK.
• Rörelse- och investeringskreditgaranti (Working Capital and Investment Credit Guarantee) Guarantee where bank shares credit risk with EKN for financing exporting companies and their subcontractors, up to 50% of the credit.
• Grön kreditgaranti för banker (Green Credit Guarantee for Banks) Guarantee where bank shares risk with EKN when issuing loans, overdraft facilities or revolving credit facilities for green investments or operations in Sweden.
• Köparkreditgaranti (Buyer Credit Guarantee) Guarantee, also called Buyer Credit Guarantee, for the benefit of banks, covering the borrower's non-payment according to the credit agreement.
• Rembursgaranti (Letter of Credit Guarantee) Risk sharing between EKN and bank for the bank's confirmed letters of credit. EKN can guarantee 50% of the total confirmation amount.
• Garanti för investeringskrediter (Guarantee for Investment Credits) Guarantee where bank or Almi shares risk with EKN when the bank provides an investment credit. EKN compensates 50% of losses for credits up to 300 million SEK.
• Investeringsgarantin (Investment Guarantee) Guarantee covering the risk of loss due to political events in connection with investment or investment loans abroad.
• Export- och utvecklingsfinansiering (ExDev) Instrument combining export financing and development aid for transactions that create development impact.
• EKN Online Digital platform for companies or banks to apply for guarantees, manage accounts, submit documents, and track transactions online.
• Länder & landriskanalyser (Country Risk Analyses) Country risk analyses and assessments for numerous countries worldwide, supporting exporters in evaluating market risks.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 100% of transaction value can be insured through green export credit guarantees
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• K-Sure (Korea Trade Insurance Corporation)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 June 2026EKN will reinsure the Korean equipment supply risks through Sweden's EKN for a 1,200 MW solar power generation project in Serbia. K-Sure provides 900 million euros in export financing for the project involving Hyundai Engineering and UGT Renewables. This is the largest overseas eco-friendly energy project won by Korean companies and the first South Korean firm participation in Serbia's national energy project.
• UzbekinvestcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 April 2026Uzbekistan's state-owned insurance company Uzbekinvest signed cooperation agreements with EKN during a business trip to Northern Europe. The agreement aims to support Uzbek exporters and provide joint coverage for commercial and political risks in foreign trade operations. EKN joins EIFO (Denmark) and Finnvera (Finland) as Nordic ECA partners for Uzbekinvest.
• EIFO (Denmark)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 April 2026EIFO (Export Credit Investment Fund, Denmark) signed a cooperation agreement with Uzbekinvest alongside EKN, as part of a Nordic ECA engagement trip to Northern Europe led by Uzbekistan's state insurance company.
• Finnvera (Finland)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 April 2026Finnvera (Finnish Export Credit Ltd) signed a cooperation agreement with Uzbekinvest alongside EKN and EIFO, as part of a Nordic ECA engagement to support Uzbek exporters and provide joint coverage for trade risks.
• RiskPoint GroupminorOthers · 23 April 2026International insurance broker that Uzbekinvest met during its Nordic ECA tour, along with Howden Re, Säkra, and Aon, to identify entry points into Scandinavian insurance markets.
• Howden ReminorOthers · 23 April 2026International reinsurance broker that Uzbekinvest met to explore partnerships in Scandinavian insurance markets.
• SäkraminorOthers · 23 April 2026Swedish insurance broker that Uzbekinvest met to identify market entry opportunities in Scandinavia.
• AonminorOthers · 23 April 2026Global professional services firm met by Uzbekinvest to explore partnerships in Scandinavian insurance and reinsurance markets.
• Bern Union (International Union of Credit and Investment Insurers)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerEKN is a member of the Berne Union, a global industry association for export credit and investment insurers with around 80 members from all parts of the world. EKN hosted the Berne Union Young Professionals Forum in Stockholm in June 2026, welcoming around 60 participants from 19 countries. The Bern Union fosters cooperation and knowledge sharing among ECAs globally.
• WTO (World Trade Organization)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEKN participates in WTO activities. WTO regulates international trade and supports producers, exporters, and importers by facilitating trade between countries and promoting smooth business operations.
• OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEKN cooperates within the OECD on several issues and regulations. Export financing is an important part of the work within the OECD, and EKN actively participates in relevant frameworks.
• EU (European Union)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWithin the EU, state guarantees are governed by trade policy (promoting global competition neutrality) and competition policy (focusing on EU neutrality and non-subsidy). EKN operates within these EU frameworks.
• Paris ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEKN participates in the Paris Club, the forum where public and publicly guaranteed credits are renegotiated when a country has payment difficulties so severe it can no longer meet its obligations.
• Ukraine Reconstruction SupportcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEKN introduced extended risk cover and launched support for Ukraine's reconstruction and defence exports, as part of the EU's Ukraine Facility. EKN raised its framework and risk coverage for exports to Ukraine, making conditions more favourable for Swedish companies to participate in Ukraine's reconstruction.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Finnvera (Finnish Export Credit Ltd): Finland's state-owned export credit agency offering export guarantees, financing, and special guarantees. Direct peer: Nordic ECA with comparable mandate, joined EKN in the 2026 Uzbekinvest cooperation agreement, and serves a structurally similar domestic export base.
• Korea Trade Insurance Corporation (K-Sure): South Korea's official export credit agency. Direct peer in mandate and structures, and EKN's actual cooperation partner — EKN reinsured K-Sure's €900M Serbian solar project in 2026. Operates at a much larger scale tied to Korea's industrial export base.
• UK Export Finance (UKEF): UK's ministerial department operating as the UK's official export credit agency. Direct peer to EKN in mandate (sovereign-backed export credit guarantees, buyer credit, working capital support), serving a comparable size of national economy with comparable product breadth.
• EIFO (Danish Export Credit Investment Fund): Denmark's state-owned export credit agency providing export guarantees and investment financing. Direct peer to EKN: same mandate (national ECA), same Nordic regional scope, and recently signed parallel cooperation agreements (with Uzbekinvest alongside EKN). Most comparable in size and product breadth.

Broad incumbents

• Coface: Leading private (publicly listed) trade credit insurer operating globally. Broad incumbent: competes with EKN's receivable insurance and country risk services on a commercial basis, serving exporters and banks in many of the same markets EKN covers for Sweden.
• Atradius Dutch State Business: State-backed Dutch trade credit insurer providing export credit insurance and guarantees. Broad incumbent: directly comparable ECA product suite (payment risk cover, buyer credit, working capital) for an export-oriented economy, with significant private-market competition layered on top.
• Bpifrance Assurance Export: France's official export credit agency, part of Bpifrance group. Broad incumbent: covers export credit guarantees for a much larger French export economy than EKN does for Sweden, but with structurally identical product families (buyer credit, working capital, counter-guarantees).
• Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM): US federal export credit agency, providing working capital, loan guarantees, and export credit insurance. Broad incumbent: largest ECA globally by deal size, structurally similar mandate to EKN as a sovereign-backed trade finance institution, though operating under a much larger national budget and broader geopolitical role.
• SACE (Italy): Italy's export credit agency, part of the CDP group. Broad incumbent: provides export credit, investment guarantees, and project finance insurance; comparable to EKN in offering statutory-backed guarantees and serving national exporters, though operating from a much larger Italian export base.
• Euler Hermes (Allianz Trade): Germany's export credit agency (now owned by Allianz). Broader incumbent: offers trade credit insurance globally to commercial customers (not a state-mandate-only entity), overlapping with EKN's buyer-credit and receivable insurance products at much larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ekn
• Xx.com/eknexport

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments2 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about EKN