The African Development Bank Group has become the first institutional shareholder of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development after committing a $30 million equity investment and a $70 million long-term credit facility to support development projects across West Africa.

EBID announced during the weekend that the landmark investment marks a major milestone in its history and advances its transformation agenda aimed at strengthening the bank’s financial capacity, governance standards and development impact.

According to the bank, the AfDB’s Board of Directors approved the investment weekend, in Abidjan, making the continental lender the first international development finance institution to join EBID’s shareholder base. The accompanying $70 million line of credit will be directed toward financing high-impact projects, particularly in the renewable energy sector across the region.

EBID said the development represents a historic shift in its ownership structure, which had previously been made up exclusively of member states. The bank noted that the move aligns with its GRO Strategy (2026–2030), designed to position it as a leading development finance institution capable of mobilising larger pools of long-term capital for regional development.

The institution added that the partnership is expected to improve its standing among international investors, broaden access to competitive funding sources and strengthen its credit profile. It will also support financing for transformative projects in key sectors including energy, infrastructure and private sector development. �

200626 – AFDB Capital Participation.

EBID said resources mobilised through the arrangement are expected to catalyse up to $230 million in total project financing. The projects are projected to improve electricity access for more than 250,000 households, create employment opportunities and reduce carbon emissions by approximately 355,500 tonnes annually across West Africa.

Commenting on the development, EBID President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, George Agyekum Donkor, described the AfDB’s entry into the bank’s shareholding structure as a “historic and transformative milestone.”

He said the partnership reflects strong confidence in EBID’s vision and development model and would strengthen the bank’s ability to mobilise large-scale resources for sustainable development across West Africa.

Headquartered in Lomé, EBID serves as the development finance institution of the 15-member Economic Community of West African States, providing financing for projects in infrastructure, rural development, industry, social services and environmental sustainability.