• EBID project commitments reached $813.77 million, up 83%, with approvals rising 50%.

• Focused on energy and transport, sectors critical to regional growth.

• Catalytic financing mobilized over $510 million and €310 million, supporting transformative projects.

The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) reported total commitments of $813.77 million for 2025, marking an 83% increase year-on-year, with project approvals up 50%.

The figures were presented during the Bank’s 24th Ordinary Session of the Board of Governors held in Accra, Ghana, ahead of an ECOWAS Ministerial meeting focused on regional economic integration and infrastructure development priorities. The session reviewed the Bank’s performance and approved new projects.

The commitments come amid significant infrastructure financing needs across Africa. According to the African Development Bank, the continent requires $130-170 billion annually for infrastructure, with a financing shortfall of $68–108 billion per year.

Energy infrastructure accounts for a significant share of development needs. About 600 million Africans still lack access to electricity, while West Africa continues to face unreliable grids, high energy costs, and dependence on fuel imports. According to the International Energy Agency, electrification rates in several countries in the region remain below 60%.

Transport infrastructure remains a major component of regional investment needs. The World Bank notes that Africa has some of the highest transport costs globally, which affect intra-African trade. Poor road and rail networks continue to limit regional connectivity, particularly in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to boost intra-African trade.

The Bank also mobilized external financing alongside its own commitments, including more than $510 million and €310 million from partners, as well as an additional $100 million in capital mobilization.

Financially, EBID’s balance sheet grew from $1.97 billion in 2024 to $2.39 billion, while profitability increased by 13.3% to $9.75 million. Ratings agencies Moody’s and Fitch reaffirmed the Bank’s B2-Stable and B-Stable ratings.

However, capital contributions remain uneven among member states. Only four countries: Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, and Togo, fully met their 2025 capital obligations, leaving $256 million in arrears.

By Cynthia Ebot Takang