EBRD Exits Bank Of Cyprus: A Milestone In Post-Crisis Recovery

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 9, 2025

Regulatory Confirmation And Complete Disengagement

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (Ebrd) has officially terminated its stake in the Bank of Cyprus, marking a definitive end to its shareholder role. The regulatory filing, confirmed by the bank, indicates that the Ebrd has reduced its shareholding from 5.14% to 0.00%. The threshold for this transition was reached on September 4, 2025, with the formal notification following on September 8, 2025.

Strategic Disposal And Market Implications

The disposal of the Ebrd’s investment, executed at a price of €7.20 per share, aligns with the strong market interest observed among international institutional investors. Predominantly acquired by long-term, long-only funds, the transaction underscores a robust confidence in the Bank of Cyprus and the broader Cypriot economy. The sale price, trading at approximately 1.2 times tangible book value, was particularly favourable, reinforcing the bank’s strategic positioning during its post-crisis stabilization.

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Legacy And Future Outlook

Since acquiring the stake in 2014 to support the stabilization of Cyprus’ financial system amid a banking crisis, the Ebrd played a pivotal role in the bank’s recovery. Its exit not only symbolizes the full return of the Bank of Cyprus to private ownership but also marks a significant milestone in its evolution. As the institution moves forward, the transition is expected to further solidify the bank’s commitment to growth and innovation, bolstered by renewed investor confidence and a stronger market foundation.

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Cyprus Ranks Among EU Leaders In Tertiary-Educated ICT Workforce

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

May 25, 2026

High Educational Attainment Sets Cyprus Apart

Recent data from Eurostat showed that Cyprus is expected to rank among the leading European countries for tertiary-educated ICT professionals in 2025. According to the figures, 96.4% of ICT professionals in Cyprus are projected to hold tertiary education qualifications, placing the country among the highest-ranked members of the European Union.

Gender Disparity Remains A Critical Challenge

Despite the high level of educational attainment, the ICT workforce in Cyprus continues to show a significant gender imbalance. Men are projected to account for 85.1% of ICT employees in 2025, while women are expected to represent 14.9% of the sector. In 2024, the split stood at 70.9% for men and 29.1% for women. The figures highlighted a widening gender gap within the country’s ICT workforce.

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European Union Trends And Comparative Analysis

Across the European Union, the number of ICT professionals is projected to increase to 3.4 million in 2025 from 3.2 million in 2024, representing annual growth of 5.1%. Men are expected to account for 83.4% of ICT employment across the bloc, equivalent to approximately 2.8 million workers, while women are projected to represent 16.6%.

National Performance Variability In Gender Representation

Countries within the EU show a varied landscape: the highest percentages of male ICT professionals are reported in the Czech Republic (92.9%), Slovenia (89.1%), Latvia (89.0%), Lithuania (88.9%), and Slovakia (88.4%). On the contrary, nations such as Denmark (30.0%), Sweden (29.8%), Romania (28.6%), Bulgaria (25.6%), and Croatia (25.2%) lead in female participation in the ICT arena.

Educational Background Across The European ICT Sector

Eurostat data also showed that most ICT professionals across the EU hold tertiary education qualifications. By 2025, 74.8% of ICT workers in the bloc are projected to have university-level education, while 25.2% are expected to hold secondary or post-secondary qualifications. Denmark recorded the highest share of tertiary-educated ICT professionals at 97.7%, followed by France at 96.6% and Cyprus at 96.4%. Other countries with high levels of tertiary-educated ICT workers included Ireland at 92.3%, Bulgaria at 91.1%, and Croatia at 90.9%. At the lower end of the ranking, Italy recorded 69.2%, while Portugal stood at 58.8%.

Conclusion

The data perfectly encapsulates the dual narrative in the ICT sector: while countries like Cyprus and Denmark achieve remarkable educational standards among ICT workers, persistent gender disparities remind us that diversity remains an ongoing challenge. As the ICT landscape continues to evolve, strategic policy formation and corporate governance will be pivotal in balancing excellence with inclusivity.

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