The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) recorded strong financial performance in 2025, with its balance sheet expanding to $2.39 billion.
The growth represents a 20.63 per cent increase from $1.97 billion in 2024, while profit rose by 13.3 per cent to $9.79 million.
Speaking at the 24th Ordinary Session of the Board of Governors held in Accra on Wednesday, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, Minister of Finance and Chairman of the Board of Governors of EBID, said the Bank delivered sustained growth despite a challenging global environment.
He said project approvals increased by 50 per cent, with commitments rising by over 83 per cent to $813.77 million, while new disbursements reached $722.69 million, representing a 47.71 per cent increase.
Dr Forson said the Bank appraised 25 projects valued at approximately $1.47 billion in 2025, driven largely by investments in infrastructure and industrial development.
He said the performance was achieved amid global trade policy volatility, geopolitical tensions and divergent growth patterns.
Dr Forson said international rating agencies, Moody’s and Fitch, reaffirmed EBID’s ratings at B2-Stable and B-Stable, respectively, reflecting its sound financial position, risk management and governance structures.
He, however, raised concerns over delays in capital contributions following a 2022 Board decision to increase the Bank’s authorised capital.
Dr Forson said out of a third tranche of $411.4 million due by December 2025, only $102.5 million had been received, leaving arrears of about $256 million, with only four Member States- Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea and Togo- meeting their obligations.
“Timely capital payments are critical. It strengthens EBID’s leverage and sustains its growth and impact across our region.
“Expanding our capital base is essential to strengthening our ability to finance transformative development projects and stimulate inclusive economic growth in all Member States,” he emphasised.
Dr Forson urged Member States to fulfil their commitments.
“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 stated.
Dr George Agyekum Donkor, President of EBID, said the Bank demonstrated resilience in 2025 and maintained strong operational performance.
He said EBID mobilised $545.94 million in resources and deployed over $510 million and €310 million into priority projects, alongside an additional $100 million in capital mobilisation.
Dr Donkor said the Bank’s portfolio remained dominated by direct loans and commercial financing, accounting for 98.62 per cent of net commitments, with equity investments representing 1.38 per cent.
He announced the Bank’s 2026–2030 ‘GRO Strategy’, centred on growth, resilience and optimisation, allocating at least 63 per cent of new commitments to private enterprises and over 41 per cent to climate and social projects.
Source: GNA
