The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) has approved a new investment package totaling €174 million and US$125 million, aimed at strengthening infrastructure, education, energy, and industrial development across multiple West African countries. The approval was made during the Bank’s 92nd Ordinary Session of the Board of Directors held on June 30, 2025.
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The funding is expected to play a key role in advancing regional development objectives by targeting projects that address critical economic and social challenges. In Togo, the Bank has committed €50 million to the development of six technical and vocational training centers. These centers are intended to expand access to skills development and support national efforts to reduce youth unemployment through practical education aligned with labor market needs.
In Côte d’Ivoire, EBID is investing US$25 million to support the importation of 400,000 tonnes of clinker to meet rising demand in the cement industry. This move seeks to stabilize local construction inputs as the country continues to experience strong urban and industrial growth.
Guinea will benefit from two strategic projects under the new investment round. First, €28.9 million will be directed toward the rehabilitation and modernization of four agricultural high schools, as part of broader efforts to improve agricultural productivity and build human capital in rural areas. In addition, the Bank has approved €95.16 million for the construction of three micro-hydroelectric stations, each with a capacity of 30 MW. These installations aim to enhance rural electrification and expand renewable energy supply to underserved areas.
Nigeria will receive US$100 million to support the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway project. The funding will contribute to a 47.7 km section of the major transport corridor designed to link key economic centers and seaports across nine coastal states. The highway is expected to strengthen regional connectivity and facilitate trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
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With this latest investment round, EBID’s cumulative financial commitments in the ECOWAS region now exceed US$5 billion. The Bank continues to prioritize projects aligned with regional development strategies and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in the areas of education, clean energy, infrastructure, and industrialisation.
The newly approved investments reflect EBID’s focus on supporting projects with long-term socio-economic impact while promoting inclusive growth, regional integration, and private sector participation. Execution of the projects will involve a combination of public sector collaboration and private sector implementation, contributing to job creation, improved service delivery, and enhanced regional competitiveness.
