Strengthening Regional Integration: Ebid's 23rd Board Of Governors Meeting Charts A Visionary Path For West Africa's Economic Growth

In a demonstration of renewed commitment to economic cooperation and sustainable development in West Africa, the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development EBID convened its 23rd Ordinary Session of the Board of Governors on 14 April 2025 in the serene coastal city of Banjul, The Gambia. The annual meeting brought together high-level representatives from across the ECOWAS region, including Ministers of Finance and Planning-the principal custodians of the Bank's strategic direction and governance.

Chaired by Honourable Seedy K. M. Keita, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs of The Gambia and the outgoing Chair of the Board, the session marked a pivotal moment for the institution as it reviewed key performance metrics, initiated governance transitions, and set forth bold aspirations for regional economic transformation. The meeting was elevated by the presence of His Excellency Muhammed B. S. Jallow, Vice President of the Republic of The Gambia, representing President Adama Barrow.

As West Africa continues to confront multifaceted challenges ranging from fiscal pressure to food insecurity and sluggish intra-regional trade, the gathering of EBID's apex decision-making body offered both a platform for reflection and a springboard for ambition.

The Board of Governors of EBID, comprising Ministers responsible for finance and planning across the ECOWAS Member States, deliberated extensively on the governance and strategic trajectory of the Bank. Key agenda items included the approval of the 2024 annual activity report, the adoption of financial statements, the constitution of the new Board of Directors, and the election of a new Chairperson.

Delivering his welcome address, Dr George Agyekum Donkor, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of EBID, commended the outgoing Chairman for his steady stewardship and acknowledged the invaluable support of the Governors. Reflecting on the Bank's financial performance, Dr Donkor highlighted a year of robust growth in 2024, during which EBID more than doubled its loan portfolio and almost doubled its overall balance sheet-a testament to its evolving operational efficiency and enhanced sectoral targeting.