Accra, April 8, – The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) recorded robust financial growth in 2025, with total assets rising to US$2.39 billion.
This marks a 20.63 per cent increase from the US$1.97 billion recorded in 2024, while profit climbed by 13.3 per cent to reach US$9.79 million.
Addressing the 24th Ordinary Session of the Board of Governors in Accra on Wednesday, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, Minister of Finance and Chairman of the Board, said the Bank’s performance reflected resilience despite global economic uncertainties.
He indicated that project approvals rose significantly by 50 per cent during the period, while total commitments increased by more than 83 per cent to US$813.77 million. Disbursements also grew strongly, reaching US$722.69 million, representing a 47.71 per cent rise.
Dr Forson noted that EBID assessed 25 projects valued at about US$1.47 billion in 2025, largely driven by investments in infrastructure and industrial sectors.
He attributed the gains to effective management amid challenges such as global trade policy shifts, geopolitical tensions and uneven economic growth across regions.
The Minister further revealed that international credit rating agencies, Moody’s and Fitch, maintained EBID’s ratings at B2-Stable and B-Stable respectively, citing its solid financial standing, governance, and risk management systems.
However, he expressed concern over delays in capital contributions by Member States following a 2022 decision to increase the Bank’s authorised capital.
According to him, out of the US$411.4 million expected as a third tranche by December 2025, only US$102.5 million had been paid, leaving arrears of approximately US$256 million. He noted that only four countries—Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, and Togo—had met their obligations.
“Timely capital payments are critical. It strengthens EBID’s leverage and sustains its growth and impact across our region,” he stressed.
He urged Member States to honour their commitments, emphasising that expanding the Bank’s capital base was key to financing transformative projects and promoting inclusive growth across the sub-region.
“Let us be bold in our thinking, decisive in our actions, and united in our purpose, because the future we seek will only be built by deliberate and collective action,” he added.
Dr George Agyekum Donkor, President of EBID, also highlighted the Bank’s strong operational performance, noting that it mobilised US$545.94 million in resources during the year.
He said the Bank channelled over US$510 million and €310 million into priority projects, alongside an additional US$100 million in capital mobilisation.
Dr Donkor explained that EBID’s portfolio remained largely driven by direct lending and commercial financing, which accounted for 98.62 per cent of total commitments, while equity investments made up 1.38 per cent.
He announced the Bank’s new 2026–2030 strategy, dubbed the ‘GRO Strategy’, which focuses on growth, resilience, and optimisation. Under the plan, at least 63 per cent of new commitments will target private sector enterprises, with more than 41 per cent allocated to climate and social impact projects.
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