(3 Minutes Read)
The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) has reached a significant milestone with the launch of its first Regional Representative Office in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire—an initiative aimed at bringing the Bank’s activities closer to its Member States and key partners.
This new office stems from an agreement signed on May 12, 2025, between EBID and the Government of Côte d’Ivoire, reaffirming the Bank’s strong commitment to advancing socio-economic progress throughout the ECOWAS region. Speaking at the inauguration, Honourable Nialé Kaba, Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister for Economy, Planning and Development and an EBID Governor, praised the establishment of the office. She described it as a major step in fulfilling the Bank’s regional development mission and expressed her government’s full support. She noted that the office would serve as “a strategic partner, a hub for dialogue and coordination, and a link between the Bank, Member States, the private sector, and civil society.”
EBID President and Board Chairman, Dr. George Agyekum Donkor, extended gratitude to President Alassane Dramane Ouattara and his government for facilitating the initiative. He stressed that the new office represents more than an administrative expansion—it is intended to deepen collaboration, accelerate impactful projects, and boost regional integration by working closely with governments, private entities, and development partners from Abidjan.
Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, Chairman of EBID’s Board of Governors and Ghana’s Minister for Finance, also underscored the office’s significance. He stated that the milestone reflects EBID’s commitment to strengthening its presence in the region and better aligning with Member States’ development goals. He added that this decentralised approach follows global best practices, enhancing partnerships, speeding up project execution, and improving the Bank’s effectiveness.
Read Also;
https://trendsnafrica.com/africa-atlantic-gas-pipeline-ecowas-approves-intergovernmental-agreement/
The Abidjan Regional Office is expected to be instrumental in advancing EBID’s strategic objectives by increasing accessibility for partners in Côte d’Ivoire and neighbouring countries. It will help the Bank gain deeper insights into local contexts, provide more responsive project support, and meet the evolving development needs of the region.
