The UK Government has announced a new UK Export Finance (UKEF) Flexible Finance pilot aimed at encouraging overseas buyers to purchase goods and services from British companies. The initiative will provide up to £5 billion in UKEF guarantees and is designed to help British exporters access opportunities in fast-growing international markets.
The announcement was published on 28 September 2026 by HM Treasury, alongside the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade.
What is the new UKEF Flexible Finance pilot?
The new Flexible Finance product is intended for selected overseas buyers operating in high-growth economies where there is potential to increase imports from British suppliers.
Unlike some existing UKEF guarantees, the new product gives eligible borrowers greater flexibility in how they use the financing, while encouraging them to work with UK suppliers. UKEF will also provide matchmaking and procurement support to connect overseas buyers with British businesses.
Which markets are being targeted?
The government specifically highlighted fast-growing economies including:
- Brazil
- Morocco
- Mexico
The initiative is intended to help British exports establish a stronger presence in markets where UK exports could increase.
How will the £5 billion UKEF support work?
Under the pilot, UKEF guarantees can total up to £5 billion.
For selected overseas buyers, the guarantees can cover up to 80% of a commercial loan. This can widen access to finance for the overseas borrower while creating an opportunity for UKEF to work with the buyer to increase imports of goods and services from British companies.
Support for British suppliers
The programme is not limited to financing. UKEF will also engage with UK suppliers through:
- Supplier matchmaking
- Procurement support
- Connections with overseas buyers
- Support for expanding British exports into new markets
These measures are intended to connect financing opportunities with British companies capable of supplying the required goods and services.
What could this mean for British exporters?
The pilot could create additional opportunities for UK businesses seeking international customers, particularly in markets where British exports currently have a smaller presence.
For exporters, the initiative combines access to overseas buyers, financing support and procurement connections. Businesses considering international expansion can therefore monitor UKEF opportunities and assess whether their products or services match demand in the targeted markets.
The government says the initiative is expected to support exports while contributing to jobs and economic activity in the UK.
Wider UKEF support
The Flexible Finance pilot is the latest addition to UKEF’s export support offering. The announcement also notes that UKEF launched a new defence export facility in June, increasing its capacity to support defence exports by £50 billion.
Note: The Flexible Finance initiative is a pilot. The £5 billion figure represents the total value of UKEF guarantees under the pilot, while individual financing arrangements and eligibility will depend on the specific overseas buyer and transaction.
Conclusion
The UK’s new £5 billion UKEF Flexible Finance pilot is designed to encourage selected overseas buyers to purchase more goods and services from British companies. With guarantees covering up to 80% of qualifying commercial loans, alongside supplier matchmaking and procurement support, the programme provides a new mechanism for connecting overseas financing with UK export opportunities.
For British businesses targeting markets such as Brazil, Morocco and Mexico, the development may be relevant when assessing future export and international expansion opportunities.
