The Ecowas Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) officially inaugurated its first regional office on Monday, December 1, 2025, in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
The ceremony, held at the Pullman Hotel, was followed by the symbolic ribbon-cutting at the Sama building in Plateau, which will serve as the headquarters for the new office.
This significant establishment follows an agreement signed between EBID and the Ivorian government. It marks a major strategic step for the bank, aimed at strengthening its presence in the BCEAO zone and intensifying its financial support for the socio-economic development of the West African sub-region.
The ceremony was presided over by Niale Kaba, the Ivorian Minister of Economy, Planning and Development, and Governor of EBID.
Minister Kaba emphasized the dual significance of the office opening: it recognizes Côte d’Ivoire’s critical role as an economic hub within ECOWAS and represents a renewed commitment to regional integration.
“This office confirms our country’s role as a platform for cooperation and innovation, supporting cross-border projects and transformative public and private initiatives,” she declared, reaffirming the Ivorian government’s full support for the regional office’s activities.
Dr. Georges Agyekum Donkor, President of EBID and its Board of Directors, commended the visionary leadership of Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara. He stated that the new office will serve as “a bridge between the expertise, resources, and development ambitions of the sub-region’s countries,” reinforcing regional ties and deepening the shared commitment to an integrated and prosperous ECOWAS.
Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, Chairman of the EBID Board of Governors and Minister of Finance of Ghana, described the opening as an example of international best practices.
“By establishing this office in Abidjan, the Ecowas Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) demonstrates its commitment to building stronger partnerships and improving the effectiveness of its operations throughout the region,” he stated. He stressed that this strategic choice directly reflects the shared aspiration within the framework of the ECOWAS Vision 2050 to build a fully interconnected and prosperous West Africa.
The event gathered numerous dignitaries, including Adama Coulibaly, the Ivorian Minister of Finance and Budget, along with senior officials from the public and private sectors, representatives of the diplomatic corps, and members of the financial sector from across the sub-region.
AP/fss/abj/APA